Congratulations Pour Into Washington

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29754, 22 February 1962, Page 13

Congratulations Pour Into Washington

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) WASHINGTON, Feb. 21. Messages of congratulations flowed into Washington from all parts of the world today on LieutenantColonel John Glenn’s successful space flight. They came from Queen Elizabeth, the British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan), the West German Chancellor

(Dr. Adenauer), General Franco, of Spain, the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and other leaders.

Even the Soviet Union appeared somewhat impressed by the success of the flight, the Associated Press commented. Moscow radio and television outlets carried factual accounts of the flight. The Queen’s message said: "On behalf of my peoples throughout the Commonwealth. I send you my warmest congratulations on Colonel Glenn’s historic achievement.”

Reuter correspondents sent the following dispatches from various capitals:

Paris: Newspapers used words such as “Bravo’’ tn banner headlines reporting the flight. A number praised the American system of publicising United States space exploits, including disappointments, and compared it favourably with the Russian practice.

Rome: Italian newspapers “splashed” the story, but the Communist "L’Unita” said the gap between United States and Soviet space achievements “is still very great.” Tokyo: Japanese Government officials and scientists welcomed the space success Moscow Radio said last night that Soviet listeners had joined the Americans in following Colonel Glenn’s progress through space. The radio had broadcast details of the flight as they were received and its correspondents reported "heightened” interest in the flight among Russians. N.Z. Messages From Wellington, the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) has sent the following cable to President Kennedy:—

"Congratulations on the success of Colonel Glenn’s orbital flight. This magnificent achievement has fulfilled the promise evident in Commander Shepherd’s flight last year and is a further example of the skill and determination of American scientists and the American people.” Mr Holyoake asked the President to convey this message to Colonel' Glenn: "The Government anjl people of New Zealand extend to you their warmest congratulations for your splendid personal skiff and courage in the accomplishment of a great achievement.”

The Dean of the Diploma-

tic Corps, in Wellington, the High Commissioner for Australia (Vice-Admiral Sir John Collins) said today that he was naturally delighted at the success of the American orbital flight and was happy that Colonel Glenn had returned safely to earth The British High Commissioner (Sir Francis Cumming-Bruce) said that the outstanding success of the flight had thrilled the British people. It was a wonderful achievement and the friends of the United States would share in the delight at the success of the undertaking. Mr N. I. Ivanov, Charge d'Affaires of the Soviet Union, said: "We were glad to hear the news of Lieuten-ant-Colonel Glenn’s successful flight and landing. We congratulate the American people and particularly the American scientists, technicians and the cosmonaut personally on this outstanding achievement.” Mr Bretislav Matonoha, the Charge d’Affaires of Czechoslovakia. said: “I would like to welcome the successful orbital flight and congratulate the first American astronaut, John Glenn, the third astronaut in the short history of the exploration of the universe.

“The name of John Glenn will follow the names of his colleagues, Yuri Gargarin and Gherman Titov as an example of the possibility of peaceful competition between nations competition which can open new vistas for the advance of humanity.”

In Christchurch last night, the City Council congratulated the Unite-* States Government. Colonel Glenn and others associated with the space flight. The motion of congratulations was proposed by the Mayor (Mr G. Manning) “because of the close co-opera-tion and friendship developed between the council and the citizens of Christchurch with the Americans in Operation Deep Freeze."

Two U.S. Tests IN Z PA.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, February 20 The United States set off two more underground nuclear explosions yesterday at the Nevada test area. The detonations were described as “low yield.”