The Press MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1959. The President’s Visit To Britain

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28987, 31 August 1959, Page 10

The Press MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1959. The President’s Visit To Britain

The real friendship between Britain and the United States has been demonstrated during the last few days while President Eisenhower has been in the United Kingdom. Fortyone years had passed since an American President had visited London. When Mr Woodrow Wilson went to Britain in 1918, he was felt to be a remote and somewhat enigmatic figure. By contrast, Mr Eisenhower had strong personal ties to renew. Londoners recalled his success as a war-time commander and his visit in 1952, before he was elected to the Presidency. His own qualities, as well as respect for the nation he personifies, assured him a spontaneous welcome. Because this has not been a State visit, pageantry has been lacking; but the friendly manner in which Mr Eisenhower has been greeted by huge crowds testifies to the affection in which he is held. His visit may be compared with the Queen’s brief stay in Chicago a few weeks ago and the participation of Queen and President in the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. These events together illustrate perhaps the most notable international partnership in history.

With the end of his Presidential term in sight, Mr Eisenhower, at 68, has embarked upon an extraordinary adven-

ture in personal diplomacy. His courage and enterprise have aroused admiration in Britain. In Western Europe, however, his decision to exchange visits with Mr Khrushchev met with a very mixed reception. One of the purposes of his tour is to reassure Bonn and Paris that their interests are being watched. The tour is by far the most important task the President has undertaken. The future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is bound to be affected by its outcome. Mr Eisenhower, concerned for the Republican Party’s prestige with the American electors, is anxious to achieve a major success in the international field. His reassertion of bold leadership shows he is determined to make the most of his remaining months as President. The “New York Times” has remarked that his present travels, comparable only with President Roosevelt’s war-time journeys, “ are a measure of “ both the new role he has “ assumed in world affairs and “ his determination to do his “utmost for peace before leav- “ ing office ”. In Britain, the President has been received as an old friend, free to relax when his duties permit. From the British interlude he should gain encouragement and renewed vigour for the difficult tasks ahead.