TWO STRONG MEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 16 December 1938, Page 6

TWO STRONG MEN

BRITISH POLITICS FIGURES LIKELY TO BECOME PROMINENT IN FUTURE MR EDEN AND SIR J. ANDERSON LONDON, 9th December. '1 wo figures of outstanding interest in British politics are Sir John Anderson and Air Anthony Eden. Sir John Anderson, the new Lord Privy Seal, whose main duties are to prepare Britain’s deHc is regarded, by general consent, as the strong man whom the Cabinet has been seeking, lie has been only a couple ox weeks on the front bench, but lie is already being discussed us Britain’s next Prime Minister. Sir John Anderson lias impressed the members of the Opposition as favourably as lie lias the Government supporters, displaying all (lie firmness and leadership with which he was renowned as Bengal's ‘iron Governor.” ict he lias been completely sympathetic and understanding— lathering rather than domineering—and simultaneously impressing by his driving administrative powers. An example of Sir John Anderson’s firmness was provided when he asked officials how long they would take to prepare the text of 20,000,000 national service handbooks. They replied, “Seven weeks.” Sir John quietly countered with, “Seven days.” llis demand was met. POLICY BEHIND DRIVE The policy behind Sir John Anderson’s great drive lor national voluntary service and his statesmanlike pronouncement on Ist December regarding the steps being taken to ensure its success, and which Cabinet so readily approved, is as follows:—“War, if it comes to Britain, as shown by the results of air power in Spain and China, may be prolonged. It is likely to be against u totalitarian country which lias already taken diastic steps to integrate and unify all forms of national and industrial activities. ‘Totalitarian compulsory reorganisation of the nation s life is opposed to the nature of the British people. Heme the Government is determined at the moment not to adopt a similar method, but is resolved that it must strive to make democracy a match for totalitarianism. ’ Consequently Sir John Anderson, as a and compulsory national register to be compiled and utilised on the occurrence of a grave emergency. The Government does nut contemplate industrial conscription in flic event of war but there would be a reallocation of workers, and a diversion oE factories to new purposes. t>ir .John hopes to prepare iri advance, a proper plan for adjusting the whole economic and financial resources for the purposes of modern warfare. lie feels that if it is not ready tho United Kingdom, despite its patriotism and resources, may suffer defeat in a conflict against Totalitarian Powers. The return to the Government ranks of the former Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, can be expected early next year. Mr Eden’s supposed campaign for a centre party, if ever it were seriously meant, has come to nothing. His criticisms of tho Ministry and the vagueness of his policy have not shaken the Government. He is now dropping his aggressiveness and is considered at the moment to be destined for a gradual comeback, perhaps even entering Cabinet. His visit to America is not only with the “full approval” of Lord Halifax, but the arrangements have been made in close consultation with the British Government. Mr Eden, although making the journey to America as a freelance, is, in effect, Britain’s envoy on a mission to strengthen the bonds between the English speaking nations. He will take the strong line that democracies are by no means finished. His visit is expected to achieve success in strengthening relations to such an extent that, if Mr Chamberlain wants to rcinvite Mr Eden to join the Cabinet, it will be a further gesture towards the linking up of democracies.