The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1935. A NOTABLE FIGURE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1935, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1935. A NOTABLE FIGURE

A notab bis figure in European politics is -Mr Anthony Eden, an Oxford man of 3/ years,' who luis achieved ieinarkabie soccers in diplomatic missions of high importance. A biographer in sketching his short but successful career, asks how was it done, and proceeds to supply the answer. He suggests the fundamental cause is Mr Eden’s deep sincerity. He believes passionately in the League of Nations, and in his talks with foreign ministers he seems to have captured their confidence because of bis abiding enthusiasm. There is much support for him in tne House of Commons. His speeches are models for a young minister—quiet, confident, polished. He is unhurried in speech with a voice which is well-modu-lated, and he has the rare power of producing a stream of beautifully regulated sentences which do at the same time mean something and carry conviction. He affects no side, nor does he love the limelight. Two comparisons have been made. One as to his sincerity, by comparing him with Mr Stanley Baldwin wlto is considered a man of the front bench rank who always gives evidence on any question of real conviction. Another comparison is to the effect that not since Lord Rosebury has there come into English politics a man so full of promise. Again, lie has political courage, or lie could not have moved so successfully among so many nations with their complex questions. He is on easy terms' with everybody, and at Geneva he is most papular. With the foreign correspondents he is frank and natural. Certainly he is a hard worker, and served a severe apprenticeship. He entered the diplomatic service in 1926, and was parliamentary private secretary to 'Sir Austin Champerlain. At Genevalie learned to exercise his powers of industry and concentration, and lets up but very little at week ends —tennis for recreation. Tall and well groomed lie is the type of the aristocratic young Englishman, and on the Continent is often referred to ns “Lord” Eden. He speaks French fluently, and had distinguished war service, winning the

military cross. When he met Herr Hitler they found an immediate bond of onion in that they both had been gassed in front of Ypres. But Mr Eden is not war-1 iko and hates war, which explains his intensity for the League of .Nations. .So he is working for his ideal—Britain’s aim to secure eollubtivo security. He indicated in his late talk with Mussolini lie was prepared to push the cause of preserving peace as far as possible, and Britain’s offer of a means of settlement was in itself something new in diplomacy. Naturally the firoeaters of Britain did not approve such a move, hut it was surely a worthy contribution if a war cloud lie averted ! The missions Mr Eden lias been entrusted with show the confidence of the Government in his powers, and their trust in this judgment. Those actions confirm what has been said of the young man—that in these days of international difficulty he is something of a political find. As the hour strikes, so Britain has produced the man. Mr Eden is destined, evidently to go far in British polities.