The Churchill Tradition

Southland Times, Issue 25737, 30 July 1945, Page 4

The Churchill Tradition

' It will be remembered that Mr Ernest Bevin, the new Foreign Secretary, made a vigorous defence of the Government’s policy in Greece to the annual conference of the Labour Party. The measures adopted in the Greek crisis were not popular among the workers; but Mr Bevin’s attitude at that time was exactly the same as Mr Eden’s. This continuity of experience is at least a safeguard against any false optimism in foreign affairs. Men who have watched, at close quarters, the shaping of the problems, will not imagine that they can be solved by methods which seem attractive to theorists. It is true that the loss of Mr Churchill is grave and untimely. Whatever may be said of his tactics in party politics, there can be only one opinion of his status and ability in the direction of major issues. He attended conferences of the Big Three with an authority strengthen--1 ed by an immense prestige. To an extent unequalled in modem times, he was able to give British policy a personal stamp that in no way weakened its national significance. It could be said truthfully that he created a policy, whereas those who come after him may be interpreters rather than builders. Mr Churchill is a great man, and it would be fanciful to suppose that he can be replaced. Nevertheless, the tradition and the influence remain. They will be badly needed in the tasks which now confront the British Government. The selection of Mr Bevin as Foreign Secretary has been well received in London, though it may come as a surprise to more distant observers. He is an able administrator; but his forthright personality and special qualities seemed to make him more suitable for an internal portfolio. Further, in Sir Stafford Cripps the Labour Party had a man eminently fitted by training and temperament for the Foreign Office. Mr Bevin still has to acquire his experience; but it can at least be said that Britain’s Foreign Secretary will be neither weak noi’ colourless. Behind him, too, are the permanent officials of the Foreign Office. And it is difficult to see in what direction the Government's policy can deviate from the lines laid down by Mr Churchill. Labour members, including the new Prime Minister, were among the British delegates at San Francisco. The Labour Party is solidly behind the Charter, and has long been faithful to the principles of collective security. Its attitude towards the United States and the Soviet Union should be exactly the same as that of the previous Government. There will be the same hatred of aggression, and an uncompromising hostility to anything in the nature of fascism. The test of Britain’s foreign policy henceforth will not be in the ideas behind it—which are the ideas of the great majority of the British people —but in the methods of control and direction. Only time can show whether the new rulers can discharge their great responsibilities successfully.