Churchill And The United States

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30045, 1 February 1963, Page 8

Churchill And The United States

If the United States does make Sir Winston Churchill an honorary citizen he will have a distinction conferred only once previously. It was accorded to the Marquis de Lafayette, whose services to the Colonies in the War of Independence were also

commemorated in the naming of numerous towns and streets, and at least one public square, near the White House. The honour would be understood and appreciated by Sir Winston Churchill, who has always been proud that his American mother was descended from one of Washington’s officers and who has always strived to maintain a cousinly relationship between the great Englishspeaking peoples. Indeed, one of his greatest achieve-

ments as Prime Minister was to win the trust and co-operation of the United States before it actually entered the war. Though the close ties of the great alliance have become somewhat loosened in the years of uneasy peace, Americans, for their part, have never lost their admiration and respect for the virile qualities of Sir Winston Churchill If Congress and President Kennedy should grant him citizenship their action will be as well received in Washington as in London. But the Americans will surely realise that in a sense they can do this great man no further honourin a very real sense he is a citizen of the whole free world. It is rather themselves that they will honour.