Evening star., 1942-10-24

The visit will s&asl1 IA -
stir up consid- David Lawrence.
cradle interest, however, not because
it is unprecedented but because
Mrs. Roosevelt is an alert-minded
observer with decidedly liberal
viewpoint. For her to see with her
own eyes the way Britain is organ
tied for war, the way the American
troops are quartered and what the
effects are of the presence of such
a large American Army in England
will mean an interesting flow of
information.
1t would be mistake, Of course,
II Mrs. Roosevelt confined her pub
hshed comments to private sponsors,
because what she has to say is of
interest to all Americans and she Is
being received abroad not as a pri-
vate individual but with all the
ceremony that BELTS a reception to
the wife of President of the United
States.
Embarrassing Question Likely.
While Europeans are aware of
how unregal the American attitude
Is, especially toward celebrities,
there Is nevertheless abroad a tend
ency to regard the wife of Chief
Executive OF any major power as
comparable In importance to a
queen. The British, who are noted
for their hospitality and difference
10 important visitors, will not spare
any of the display, and Mrs. Roose-
welt will have about as interesting
time as she has had on any of her
journeys In the last nine years.
Mrs. Roosevelt is not the kind of
q person who cares very much about
the dinners and the parties. She
has a distinct fair for sociological
study and observation, and no doubt
she will ask many questions and
visit many places that will not prove
either entertaining or pleasant. For
she will wish to know how the un-
derprivileged are getting along and
what strides Britain is making to-
ward the removal of those inequities
of class and group that have plagued
England for so many years.
Nor will Mrs. Roosevelt's questions
be trite or formal. She has habit
of penetrating the most complicated
prising If she sought information on
Britan's policy toward India, on the
attitude toward Russia, and particu-
larly on the manner in which the
workers are being compensated
during the long hours in the fac
tories and the mines.
Even such delicate subject as
the postwar world in its relation to
the British Empire possessions would
not be by-passed by Mrs. Roosevelt
If she found among prominent
British officials those who were in
clined to express to her the British
viewpoint. After all, she already
has a personal acquaintance not
only with the King and Queen but
with Prime Minister Churchill, since
these dignitaries and others in the
cabinet have visited the White
House in recent years.
independent Interest,
Prom the American viewpoint
there will be some observers who
will insist that woman's place is in
the home, even If she is the wife OF
0 President, but there are women
who have made career for them
selves without regard to the voca-
ton OF the husband.
Mrs. Roosevelt for years has
shown an independence of mind ano
an interest in public questions quite
apart from the views of her dis
tinguished husband. She is ever
credited by some observers with
having an instructive liberalism fal
more pronounced that that of Mr.
Roosevelt.
One may differ with the COM
ments and judgments expressed by
Mrs. Roosevelt, and in many in.
stances she has certainly spoker
without thorough knowledge of tht
background and circumstances O.
particular controversies. but it can
not be said that she has anything
but an honest approach to the socia
questions Of the day. Indeed, he,
frankness and outspoken comments
at times are the result of her forth
rightness OF view rather than of an,
artificial purpose such as might Gus
tomsrily come with political OBJ
jective.
When Mrs Roosevelt goes to Eng
land in the midst Of war, braving tn
hazards of transoceanic travel, sh
goes 10 help bring better under
standing between the British an,
the American peoples. Unof'icia
smissarics sometimes do bette
Job than the ofYcial envoys- an
sometimes, II might be admitted,
vomant approach might even h
better than the masculine ego
willing 10 eonrede
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