Evening star., 1943-04-21
Bars 10 Conferences
With Eden Here |rked
Lesser Allied Envovs
Disconnected by Lack
OF Chonee to Discuss
Own Nations Problems
BY HELEN LOMBARD


The visit to Washington of An
thony Eden is already history as far
as the American public is concerned,
but the lesser United Nations diplo-
mats are still giving reign to their
discomfort regarding the British
Foreign Secretary's stay here.
Their discomfort is based on the
fact that at no time did these Min
listers and Ambassadors have
chance to discuss with Mr.. Eden
the problems which are foremost in
their mind. It was pointed out to
several, who desired to talk with
Mr.. Eden and who indicated their
desires to the State Department,
that their governments-in-e in
London were in a much better posi-
ton to discuss current problems
with the British Government.
That attitude is logical result
Of the fact that London has now be-
come the agent of the United States
IN our diplomatic relations with the
European members of the United
Nations. 1t unavoidably, however,
leaves the local diplomatic corps
which represents the occupied coun-
tries, in state of suspended anima-
ton.
Disconnected BY Reports
These diplomats are, of course,
pro-British and recognize that their
nations hope of existence dates
back to British resistance to the
Nazis in 1910. Some of them do not
enjoy being by-passed as a group,
and many are growing increasingly
uneasy by the fact that the United
States is becoming more and more a
silent partner in the Moscow-Lon-
don Washington diplomatic tri-
angle.
Most of these diplomats had
hoped that the United States
would introduce new note into the
old international game of jockeying
for power-that of the impartial
but firm partner. 1t was therefore
disconcerting to them to hear that
Mr.. Eden was exploring" the fu-
lures Of their various nations with
policy trainers in Washington with
out giving them an opportunity of
reporting to their own Governments
the trend of the conversations be-
tween the State Department and
British Foreign Office.
The only opportunity given to the
United Nations diplomats to meet
Mr.. Eden was at reception at the
British Embassy The chiefs of
missions and their wives, the coun-
sellors Of embassies and legations
and their wives were invited to meet
Mr.. Eden and the whole occasion
was held between and 6 o'clock.
The guests were ushered into the
dining room of the British EN-
bassy where there was long buffet
spread with non-rationed delica-
cies, such as watercress, chicken
sandwiches and so on. Another
table contained number of Lon
don illustrated magazines. On top
OF the magazine pile prominently
displayed was special Russian is
sue OF Life.
This undoubtedly fortuitous mag
azine arrangement nevertheless
took away the appetite of the East
ern Europe diplomats who live in
constant fear of being delivered
from the NaZis only to be handed
over to the Soviet. Some of them
were inclined to accept it as gentle
diplomatic way of saying, you'd
better relax and enjoy it."
Aidid BY Nine. Litvinoff
The various chiefs of missions and
their counsellors had little more op-
portunity to explore the interna-
tional future with Mr.. Eden than
could be accomplished in an ex-
change Of How do you do" He
showed, however, a positive genius
in the shading of that classical
greeting. The trained European
diplomats were able to decide Just
exactly how they stood in the
graces Of the British Government
by the subtle infection on the word
"do."
There was one exception to this
somewhat cryptic way Of exchang-
ing information. Nine. Ivy Litvin-
OF, British-born wife Of the Russian
Ambassador, was in almost contin-
ual conversation with Mr.. Eden.
A trained diplomat shares with a
woman the acute sense of the i'm
portance OF trif1es and the signifi-
canoe OF trivia and, like a woman,
. trained diplomat is quick to get
the feel" Of an environment. AS
If It had been prearranged demon
stration the diplomatic guests left
the dining room without touching
any Of the delicacies on the long
buffet.
Released BY the Bell Syndicate. Inc)