WORLD TRIBUTES TO STEVENSON

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30804, 16 July 1965, Page 11

WORLD TRIBUTES TO STEVENSON

(N.Z.PA.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, July 15. The British Prime Minister, Mr Wilson, tonight sent a personal message to President Johnson expressing his shock at Mr Stevenson’s death. The message said: “He was a personal friend of mine over many years and I never visited the United States without going to see him.”

It went on: “His sudden death was a blow to us all. The news came through as 1 was leaving for a meeting of the Parliamentary Party and when 1 made the announcement it was greeted with a stunned silence." Mr Wilson referred to a formal Government statement and added: “But 1 wanted you to know that this is no formal matter. We feel the loss as deeply as you do”

New York.— Mrs Jacqueline Kennedy, widow of the late President, said she was shocked by the news of the death of “an old and dear friend.” Copenhagen. Denmark's Prime Minister. Jens Otto Krag. in Copenhagen lamented Mr Stevenson’s death and said: “The aim of his endeavour was a stable and just peace."

Bonn.—The West German President, Henrich Luebke, in a telegram to President Johnson tonight, said: “Your Government and the American nation lose in him an experi-

enced politician fighting passionately for peace and social justice all over the world." Tel Aviv.—lsrael's Deputy Prime Minister. Abba Eban. said he was too stunned bv the news to say "all that is in my heart. He honoured us with enthusiasm, his praise, and his goodwill,” Moscow.—No official reaction has come from Soviet Union leaders. Tass, the Soviet news agency, reported the death tonight in a onesentence dispatch, but passed no comment. The agenev later carried -n 80-word obituary.

London.— The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Michael "tewart. said in a statement on behalf of the Government that “the world has lost a great statesman." He called Mr Stevenson “a great citizen : of the world. He showed a liberality of mind and lucidity of expression which' brought him universal renown,” the statement said. Gettysburg.—The former President. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Republican who twice defeated Mr Stevenson for President, said in a statement from his office at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: “The announcement that a public servant of Adlai Sevenson's international stature should «ee suddenly and finally removed from the world strikes a tragic note for all Americans. As the leader of his party in two Presidential campaigns and as our spokesman at the United Nations in recent years, he has won an abiding place in his country’s history." Independence. At his home in Independence, Missouri, the former President. Harry S. Truman, said: “1 am shocked and saddened at the untimely passing of Adlai Stevenson. Ottawa. The Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Lester Pearson, said: “I have lost a very close personal friend. I can only express very deep grief and deep shock at the news.”

Washington.—ln a televised statement. President Johnson, near tears, said: “America has lost its most eloquent spirit, its finest voice. The world of freedom and human dignity has lost its most articulate champion. Our legacy from Adlai Stevenson is a charge to continue the quest for a more decent world, a better world order, a life for man free of war and destruction and the oppression of his spirit.” Wellington.—The death of Adlai Stevenson was a loss both to the United States and to the world, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said in a statement today. “I know he will be mourned by all New Zealanders. He will go down in history as one of the finest and most articulate of American diplomats.” New York.—The United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant, today led diplomats of the world organisation in New York in paying tribute to their late colleague. In a message to President Johnson, U Thant expressed shock and grief at the Ambassador’s death and said: “As the representative of the United States of America, he had earned the respect, admiration and affection of all his colleagues at the

United Nations for his extraordinary human qualities.” Canberra. The Prime Minister. Sir Robert Menzies, said today: "The death of Adlai Stevenson is a great loss not only to his own country but to the world. He added to his great ability a singular capacity for expression and an engaging personality which won him many friends. The Australian Government shares in the general sorrow that will be caused by hia untimely death.”