CHANGE SUGGESTED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 68, 31 December 1940, Page 8

CHANGE SUGGESTED.

BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTRY.

PROSPECTS OF MR EDEN

LONDON, November 15

Mr Anthony Eden, Secretary for War, is likely to become Secretary of State for F'oreign Affairs in the near future, according to the special representative of the “Sydney Sun.” Viscount Halifax is at present Foreign Minister.

Mr Churchill appears to be most impressed by Mr Eden’s work, the correspondent adds, especially in the Far East, where his round visit, particularly on the diplomatic side, has certainly been successful. In addition, ho has always been very popular at the Foreign Office, where In's resignation was much regretted. Lord Halifax’s resignation has been predicted many times lately, and it is known that lie wanted to retire when Mr Chamberlain went. Mr

Churchill urged him then not to press his request at what he thought an inopportune moment.

Mr Churchill, who admires many qualities possessed by Lord Halifax, is still reluctant to part with him.

There have been some criticisms of Lord Halifax in a section of the press. The “News-Chronicle” has openly urged his resignation and the. “Daily Mail” in view of the succession of Britain’s diplomatic setbacks, lias been unfriendly to the Foreign Office. Another factor that has not helped Lord Halifax has been a whispering campaign that lie stands as an obstacle to an Anglo-Russian rapprochement. It is believed that Moscow likes Mr Eden. It certainly liked him during his visit a few years ago.

Mr Eden is one of the most controversial figures in the British Ministry to-day. Some regard him as one of the many possible future Prime Ministers. Many of his Conservative colleagues harmed his future after liis resignation by dfbbing him “the glamour boy,” but progressive Conservatives, Labour members and Liberals have always liked him and his policy.