Evening star., 1938-12-13
Eden Converses
With Roosevelt
As minutes
Women Thrilled as
He Calls at State
Department
BY GARRETT d. HORNER.

~ A1o1eANGNs
Rousing cheers from hundreds of
women, thrilled to see the man
known as England's handsomest
diplomat, greeted Anthony Eden to-
day when the former British foreign
secretary paid unofficial" visits to
the White House and State Depart
ment.
Trained in poker face" diplomacy
though he is, the debonair Mr.
Eden hardly could conceal that he
was bit embarrassed at the un-
expected accompaniment to the Wis
its that gave him opportunity for
frank discussion of weighty inter-
national affairs with President
Roosevelt and other Government
leaders,
There was no announcement of
what went on in these conferences
Il enjoyed my talk with the Presi-
dent" Mr.. Eden said after a As
minute stay in the White House ex-
ecutive Office, but in reference to
what passed, you better get that
from the PreSident-I understand
that is the traditional way
Talks at Press Club.
The visitor then went to the Ma
tional Press Club to give an off
the-record" explanation of his views
on British foreign policy to lunch
con gathering of cabinet members,
State Department and British EN-
bassy officials and Press Club men,
bers
Mr.. Eden arrived at Acting Sec
retary of State Sumner Welles' Office
five minutes ahead of his 1O:45 am.
appointment ana was applauded by
handful of woman clerks as he
went in. Quickly the word spread
around the State and War Depart
ment Offices that he was there, and
before he and Mr.. Welles came
out, a few moments later, more
than 100 women had crowded into
the corridor before the Office door.
One slightly plump woman, more
venturesome than the rest, pushed
her way up front and stood on tip
toe in her eagerness to peer through
the half-open doorway.
Il think 1 see him." she cried. II
do see him! Oh, isn't he wonder
full"
Bows and Smiles.
His neatly parted hair a bit awry
at the edges, Mr.. Eden walked out
with Mr.. Welles, bowed and smiled
at a burst of handclapping and
stepped hurriedly into another room
to get his overcoat and famed HON.
burg hat before going across the
street to the White House.
AS Mr.. Eden and Mr.. Welles
stepped into the elevator, another
feminine voice exclaimed:
"Oh, isn't he sweet? So uncon-
cerned about it ALL"
The distinguished visitor was con-
siderably less flustered when he was
greeted at Union Station this morn
ing by crowd made up mostly of
men-practical newspapermen He
knew how to handle them
Questions Laughed Off.
Such questions from reporters as
What have you to say about reports
from London that you soon may re-
enter the British cabinet or possibly
be appointed Ambassador here?"
Mr.. Eden laughed off with the re-
mark that Il wouldn't know about
reports from there
To reporters at the State Depart
ment and White House, he also was
non-committal about any significant
phases of his visit. In fact, there
was more news" in the reaction
of the womenfolk to his appearance
than forthcoming from the i'm
portant conferences.
Work at the State Department
was at virtual standstill during
his brief stay there, with offices
deserted. Officials said it was the
biggest reception for any one since
Howard Hughes. There was a
similar scene at the White House,
where clerks in the executive Offices
crowded into the main lobby as Mr.
Eden and Mr.. Welles passed through
to see the President
The visitor had to run another
(See EDEN, Page A-50