Evening star., 1949-03-24
The Political Mill
ChurchiII's Return to U.S..
Recalls His Fulton Speech
Was Much Criticized for Urging Pact
Similar to Atlantic Treaty
By Gould Lincoln

winston CQuTCQlll, VINO, IN ONCE or OUT,
represents to the world the dogged courage
of the English. returns to the United States
almost three years to day since his Fulton,
Mo-, speech in which he strongly urged
military cooperation between the British
Empire and the United States for peace
and stirred up hornets nest of opposition.
1t Is a commentary on the longsightedness
Of the former British prime minister that
within a few days there will be signed in
Washington the North Atlantic Security
Treaty, in which the British and the Amer
leans play leading rolls.
Mr.. Churchill in that memorable speech
he was introduced by President Truman
during ceremonies at Westminster College
which conferred honorary degrees on both
the President and Mr.. Churchill-warned
the world that a threat to peace lay in
the Communist expansion drive, launched
from behind the Iron Curtain. His re-
marks were denounced in too many quarters
as an affront to Soviet Russia and an in
vitation to retaliation on the part of that
country and her Communist satellites It
was even suggested that President Truman
should disassociate himself completely from
the stand taken by Mr.. Churchill. Mr..
Truman at press conference defended the
right of Mr.. Churchill to say what he
wanted to, but declined comment on the
content Of the speech.
Appearance Cancelled.
President Truman was slated until a few
days ago. to attend another college gather
ing with Mr.. Churchill-at the Massachu-
setts Institute of Technology Later he
was to receive an honorary degree from
Boston College The invitations had been
accepted weeks ago. Suddenly out OF
a clear sky, kilograms were sent from
the White House saying that the President.
because of press of business, had to with
draw his acceptance of these invitations.
And to that explanation the White House
has stuck steadfastly, although 1t has been
rumored that other reasons existed, among
them the fact that British Foreign Minister
Ernest Bevin Labor Party and political foe
of Mr. Churchill. the Conservative, was due
here to sign the North Atlantic Security
Treaty almost at the same time President
Truman would have been visiting with Mr..
Churchill in Boston.
Mr. Churchill however, was Immediately
invited by the President to dine at the Blair
House. the temporary dwelling of the Chief
Executive. Mr. Churchill did not reveal the
topic of his speech to be delivered at NIT.
but it would be surprising if it did not con-
tain far-reaching comment. On his arrival
in New York, however, Mr.. Churchill gave
Treaty unequivocaly. Why shouldn't he?
In measure, it is his child.
Words Are Recalled.
Among the prophetic words uttered by
Mr.. Churchill at Fulton three years ago
were the following: Beware, I say; time
may be short. Do not let us take the course
of letting events drift along until it is too
late. If there is to be a fraternal associa-
ton of the kind I have described. withal
the extra strength and security which both
our countries can derive from it, let us make
sure that that great fact is known to the
world. A shadow has fallen upon the
scenes lately lighted by the Allied victory.
Nobody knows what Soviet Russia and its
Communist International Organization in
tends to do in the immediate future.
If now the Soviet government tries by sep
arate action to build up pro-Communist
Germany in their areas. this will cause new
serious difficulties in the British and Amer
lean zones"
Churchill next year will be in the fore
front of the campaign to wrest control Of
Britains government from the Labor Party
and to call halt to the advance of social
ism in his own land. Despite his IS years.
fate may once again carry him to the top.
England once had an 84-year-old Prime
Minister, Gladstone.
Nothing is more indicative Of quick
changes of political fortune than a story
told by the late Senator Bailey or North
Carolina about Mr. Churchill himself. Mr.
Churchill was in this country for visit and
lecture tour in the early 30s and Senator
Bailey had the task Of showing him about
the Senate. He said to Mr.. Churchill, at
one point, that he had always believed Mr.
Churchill would become Prime Minister
Senator" was Mr.. Churchill's reply, you
are mistaken. My future is behind me-"