BRITISH-U.S. TALKS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27875, 25 January 1956, Page 13

BRITISH-U.S. TALKS

Eden To Leave'

Tonight

LONDON, January 23. Sir Anthony Eden had his last audience with the Queen tonight before he goes to the United States for talks with President Eisenhower. Tomorrow he will hold a full meeting of his Cabinet at No. 10 Downing Street, to approve the British policy at the talks.

Sir Anthony Eden will travel from London to Southampton tomorrow night—after he has attended a House of Commons debate on the surplus British war material which has reached the Middle East by “backdoor” methods.

He will sail from Southampton in the liner Queen Elizabeth early on Wednesday morning, fly from New York to Washington on Monday morning, and begin the meetings with President Eisenhower in the afternoon.

The critical Middle East scene is bound to loom large in the EdenEisenhower talks. Diplomatic sources said in London today that Britain and the United States were determined to prevent any major aggression by Israel or an Arab State against each other, even to the point of military intervention, but these circles denied that there was already a firm plan for joint action by the Western Allies.

Whatever recommendations are adopted by President Eisenhower and Sir Anthony Eden will be discussed immediately with France. Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent said. France is a signatory to the declaration under which the signatories will undertake action to prevent any renewal of the Arab-Israeli war, if it threatens, says the correspndent. With Arab-Israeli tension at a new peak, the Western Powers are confronted with the question of how they will fulfil their pledge should the need arise, adds the correspondent.