Evening star., 1938-12-14
Eden Continues
Informal Talks
With Leaders
Discussions Expected
ToInfIuence Relations
With Great Britain
BY GARNETT d. HORNER.


Anthony Eden today continued
informal discussions with Govern
ment leaders that many observers
believe may have a significant ef-
feet on Anglo-American relations,
| despite the former British foreign
secretary's emphasis on the "unof-
fetal" nature of his visit to WASH
ington.
Mr.. Eden conferred with Senator
Pittman. chairman of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, for As
minutes in his Office at the Capitol
this morning Both men declined
to discuss their conversation except
to say they had friendly talk" and
renewed an acquaintanceship begun
in 1888 when Senator Pittman was
in London for the economic confer
ence.
Calls on Chief Justice.
Before going to the Capitol, Mr..
Eden paid what he described as q
courtesy call" upon Chief Justice
Charles Evans Hughes at the latter's
home.
Mr.. Eden was the luncheon guest
of Acting Secretary of State Sum-
ner Welles at the latters nearby
Maryland estate, along with several
State Department officials, congress
sional leaders and others whose
names were not made public because
Of the informal nature of the af-
fair.
The informal setting provided op-
portunity for talking turkey"
about problems facing the two great
English-speaking democracies, In
much more frank fashion than
might be feasible if Mr.. Eden was
a member of the British cabinet
being received formally.
Building Up Good will.
Mr.. Eden insists he is here only
as a member of Parliament eager
to see Washington for the first time,
with no official mission. Neverthe-
less, there already is ample evidence
Of his accomplishing one mission,
whether planned or not-building
up good will among Americans for
the British through his own per-
sonal popularity here.
In his informal discussions with
oficials, which began yesterday
when he met Mr.. Welles and talked
twice with President Roosevelt, Mr..
Eden is informing himself in 4
manner hardly possible through Of
fcial channels on the American
viewpoint on international affairs.
Thus he may have valuable re-
ports to make to his government on
his return to London next week, and
be in an advantageous position once
more to assume post of authority
In the British cabinet. Although he
resigned as foreign secretary last
winter In protest against Prime
Minister Chamberlain's policy of
dealing" with the dictator nations,
he is understood to have patched up
the differences without relenting
from his stand for firmer attitude
by the democracies.
New Appointment Rumored.
Rumors have come from London
recently that his visit here was pre-
liminary to another cabinet ap-
pointment. or possibly one as am
bassador here, but Mr.. Eden smil-
ingly disclaimed any knowledge of
these reports.
Both he and President Roosevelt
were noncommittal on what they
talked about yesterday. After nearly
an hours conference just before
noon they said they had a pleasant
conversation. but brushed aside
other questions. Later they met
again at tea on the second floor Of
the White House in an informal
gathering with Mrs. Roosevelt, Mrs.
Eden and Lady Lindsay, wife of the
British Ambassador.
On Sightseeing Tour.
After their conversation in SEN
ator Plttman's office, the Senator
and Col. Edwin E. Halsey, secretary
of the Senate, escorted Mr.. Eden on
and extraordinary "sightseer's" tour
of the Capitol
| Mr.. Eden graciously paused in
Col. Halsey's Office to sign his name
in the autograph book of Mrs. Anna
Monat, secretary to Col. Halsey. She
also collected autographs of Viscount
| (See EDEN, Page A-5)