Varying U.K. Press Reaction To Speech

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29108, 21 January 1960, Page 13

Varying U.K. Press Reaction To Speech

(Rec. 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, January 20. The speech made by the British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, yesterday, and the controversial issue of a Central African Federation dominated the British press this morning, although editorial comment was divided.

The “News Chronicle” claimed that Mr Macmillan had rebuffed the Prime Minister of the Rhodesian Federation (Sir Roy Welensky) while the “Daily Herald’’ accused Mr Macmillan of indulging in “double-talk.” The “Guardian” said: “The text of the Lagos statement, now issued, and the Prime Minister’s comments made in Salisbury yesterday, are clear enough as far as they go.

and relinquish the protective tie with Britain, Southern Rhodesia must face the fact that British protection would continue to be afforded.

Mr Macmillan has a relatively light programme of local engagements today, second full day of his first visit to Rhodesia. He will talk with the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia (Sir Edgar Whitehead) early this morning. He will be guest of honour at a civic luncheon to be given by the Mayor of Salisbury, Mr Herbert Posselt.

“At some time in the future, ‘an elected government of some kind,’ which can be deemed to express the will of Nyasalanders, will be asked if it wishes to be a member of a ‘full and independent Federation.’ “Until that time, the British Government will not remove its protection. If the Nyasaland Government, at that time, decided to enter such a federation, all is plain sailing,” said the “Guardian.”

The “Daily Mail’s” correspondent said: “In this tempestuous Federal capital (Salisbury), which was determined to be tough to the point of hostility, he (Mr Macmillan) deliberately repeated his now famous Lagos declaration about the Central Africa Federation. And he did it with such sincerity and effect that his audience could only cheer him and cheer him.”

The correspondent of the “Daily Express” reported: “He ob tained repeated and crashing applause and succeeded brilliantly in skirting one of the most explosive issues hanging above this uneasy Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.” The “Scotsman” said that as it was highly probable that Nyasaland, at least, would want to deliver herself up to a federation