REACTION TO DECISION

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27907, 2 March 1956, Page 11

REACTION TO DECISION

Wide Welcome

Overseas

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, March 1. President Eiserhower’s decision to >eek re-election vfcs widely welcomed abroad, both because of his personal prestige and because in government circles he stands is a symbol of continuity in Ameriean policy, Reuter’s dispatches said lai night. The Foreign Office spokesman declined all comrtent on President Eisenhower’s decfcion. “I naturally cannot comment in any way on his decision to stand a second time,” he said. But officials ir London privately expressed pleasue at the evidence that the President’s health was restored. At the same time it was recognised that the new siuation would emphasise the R epipl lean choice of a Vice-Presidential A West Germin spokesman said the West Germaa Government welcomed the decision of Mr Eisenhower to stand again because this “brings an element of stability, into the Policy of the Western worlfl.” He said that President Eisenhower s decision “guarantees the continuance of the established line of American policy.” A spokesman of the Fitnch Foreign Office said: “We are very pleased that his health has allowed |iim to stand as a candidate.” The news came after the end of business at the Paris Bourse and it was expected to have a very favourable effect on stock pries tomorrovv. Official Italian circles aid the President. with his great perfinal prestige, provided an incomparalie symbol or the West’s determination to resist the advance of Russia. Imagination Waited But an unofficial Itaian comment was that imagination night be the most important factor lin the new phase of East-West relaions. and the Eisenhower-Dulles tejfi had not shown great gifts in thrt direction. The Belgian Prime Minister, Mr Achille van Acker, defined to comment on what he said vis “an American domestic issue.” Jut a leading Brussels banker said: “Hisiness circles expected this and it ha already had a bracing effect on ne stock exchange.” The Dutch Prime Minister (Dr. William Drees) said hewas very glad that President Eisenlfcwer’s health permitted him to ventire on a second term. The Austrian Chancilor, Dr. Julius Raab, said he was gla| the President would be a candidate again for an office he had so far filid with success.

United Nations diplmats were not turprised at President Eisenhower’s announcement.

The concensus of opinion in the United Nations corri|ors is that the American people arc almost certain to send him to the Vhite House again in November. The President is hejd in high regard at the United where he made one of his most fjnous speeches—that launching his Atoms for Peace” programme on December 8, 1953—and his re-election wodd be regarded favourably by most diplomats as ensuring a continuatiffi of the foreign policy.