MR. EDEN IN U.S.A.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 61, 15 March 1943, Page 5

MR. EDEN IN U.S.A.

FOREIGN OFHCE MISSION DISCUSSION ON ASPECTS OF WAR Recd. 6.30 p.m. Rugby, March 12. “Mr. Anthony Eden has arrived in Washington on an invitation from the United States Government,” says a communique issued in Washington to-night. "The purpose of the visit is to undertake a general exchange of views with the Government on all aspects of the war situation and to discuss more effective methods of preparing for meetings between the Governments of all the United Nations to consider questions arising out of the war.” Mr. Eden will also see at first hand something of the great war effort of the United States. He is accompanied by Mr. Strang, an assistant undersecretary to the Foreign Office, and Mr. Gladwyn Jebb, head of the Economic and Reconstruction Department of the Foreign Office. The need for circulating the views of the two countries on political matters has become more urgent as the United Nations have now turned from the defensive to the offensive and Mr Eden has nor. been to the United States since 1938, after his resignation from the Government. He will take an early opportunity of seeing M. Litvinov and it is understood M. Stalin was informed in advance of Mr. Eden’s journey and visit. There is reason to believe that he heard of it with pleasure. Mr. Eden probably will also have talks with Mr. Soong, Chinese Foreign Minister, who is also in Washington.

The presence of Mr. Jebb indicates that among the wide range of subjects to be discussed with the American Government will be questions of post-war reconstruction. Mr. Eden’s visit will last a few weeks and he is expected to visit Canada on his way home. Diplomatic observers in London agree that Mr. Eden’s mission to Washington is the logical sequel 'to the Casablanca conference which was devoted to military decisions. It is now essential to consider political questions that will be involved after the Allies re-enter Europe, also to evolve a United Nations policy regarding occupied enemy countries, especially France, besides the further co-ordination of Anglo-American post-war plans in conjunction with Russia and China.

“NOTHING EXCLUDED”

GENERAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS Recd. 7 p.m. Rugby, March 13. At Washington to-day Mr. Eden said the Allies had achieved notable victories recently, but to expect a quick conclusion to the war would be "only to get ourselves into trouble."

"The only possible assumption," added Mr. Eden, "is that we have a long way to go.”

He added that he was in America for a general exchange of views on war issues and "nothing is excluded."

Replying to questions about the health of Mr. Churchill, Mr. Eden told newspaper correspondents that when he saw him on Wednesday night the British Prime Minister was in excellent spirits. Mr. Eden emphasised the value of collaboration between Britain and the United States and Russia, stating that a kind of collaboration was pretty well indispensable if we were going to have a stable peace. "I do not mean any exclusive collaboration. It would, of course, bring in China and be the foundation for the kind of collaboration we would like to see among all members of the United Nations," he added. "The important thing is to take precautions to make sure that Germany and Japan—ltaly’s problem is not the same size—are never able to start this business again. That is the fundamental job for our statesmanship. I do not think it wise to set up a new Government in Germany and then trust to luck. We have got to take precautions in both Germany and Japan. Italy is different. I do not think the Italian menace will be long enduring."

Referring to United States and Australian victories in the South Pacific, Mr. Eden said the British people watched with intense admiration the fighting prowess of the forces and their Australian comrades in the Pacific theatre, and he congratulated them on behalf of tht; British people on the signal victory in which the American forces destroyed the Japanese convoy recentiy.

Despite setbacks, he said, our motto should be: “On with the job." British policy, he said, favourea unity among all French elements, and it was wrong to believe that Britain preferred General de Gaulle to General Giraud. What Britain wanted to see was both these generals and others together in the struggle against Germany. Dealing with post-war air problems, Mr. Eden said: "Air commerce after the war will serve to bring us all together more closely, rather than as a matter of rivalry. Statesmanship should be able to find a solution.”

Mr. Eden will visit Ottawa for a conference, according to an official announcement. The Canadian capita] date visit is unknown as yet.

On his arrival at Washington, Mr. Eden went to the British Embassy, which will be his headquarters. He will probably call to see Mr. Roosevelt to-day. ' Mr. Eden flew the Atlantic in the Liberator used by Mr. Churchill.— 8.0.W.