OVERSEAS TRIBUTES

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26397, 16 April 1951, Page 7

OVERSEAS TRIBUTES

Loss To Cause Of Freedom (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. “Lovers of freedom the world over will share the sorrow of the British Government and people in the loss of a faithful public servant,” said President Truman, in a message received by Mr Attlee after Mr Bevin’s death. Mr Truman described Mr Bevin as a valiant defender of human rights. He continued: “Ernest Bevin was the embodiment of rugged honesty and ancient English virtues. He was ever an exemplifier of justice and a powerful advocate of the cause of the oppressed and all who bore heavy burdens.”

The United States Secretary of State (Mr Dean Acheson) said in Washington that Mr Bevin was “a gallant gentleman, a great Englishman, and a fighter for the freedom of all men." Mr Acheson said he had worked with Mr Eevin for two years and a half, in a critical, troubled period. “His death brings to me deep sorrow from the loss of a friend and trusted colleague,” Mr Acheson said. “Not only his countrymen, but all of us to whom freedom and liberty are the foundation of our lives, will stand in spirit beside his grave, in sorrow, gratitude and joy that in these times such a man has lived.”

The French Foreign Minister (Mr Robert Schuman) said: “Mr Bevin was a warm partisan of international friendship, and he did much to strengthen the ties between France and Britain. He was a sincere friend." The Italian -Prime Minister (Mr Alcide de Gasperi) sent a telegram to Mr Attlee, saying: “On behalf of the Italian Government. I join in your grief at the passing of Mr Bevin, whose goodness of heart and nobility of soul I had occasion to know personally." The Italian Foreign Minister (Count Sforza) said: “This makes me very sad. We all knew Mr Bevin. and all knew the loyalty of his methods.” The Netherlands Prime Minister (Dr. Willem Drees) said that Mr Bevin’s death was a very great loss to the Labour Movement in Europe and throughout the entire world. Moscow radio announced Mr Bevin’s death in its regular news bulletin without comment.

In the British zone of Germany, the audience at a mass meeting rose to its feet and observed one minute's silence when the West German ViceChancellor (Mr Franz Bluecher) announced Mr Bevin’s death.

The Egyptian Ambassador to Britain (Amr Pasha), who has just returned to London, said that the people of the Middle East and Egyptians in particular had lost a great friend. Amr Pasha added: “No other statesman has worked so hard in the last five years on behalf of the peoples of the Middle East.”