Evening star., 1950-12-07

Minister Attlee's speech at the
National Press Club luncheon
yesterday as released BY the
British Information SerDices:
May I thank you all for your
hospitality and for so kindly giving
me the privilege Of meeting so
r many representatives Of the Fourth
Estate.
May I also say at the beginning
Of my remarks how great was the
shock I felt when I heard Of the
death of Charlie Ross. I had been
speaking to him just at the end Of
our meeting and little thought that
death was so soon to cut short
the devoted service which he was
giving to his country and the
President. I know that you, who
were his friends, will share my
feelings.
Recalls Visit In Al.
When I arrived here on Mon
day, I recalled very well how I
came here in 1941; 1t was only q
few weeks before the United States
entered the Second World War.
That was the first occasion which I
had the privilege of addressing the
representative Of the press in
Washington.
I have a very lively recollection
of the occasion. I remember q lot
OF questions about India. I was
hxy fha N1tol{txy ~ $ha
representatives OF the press in
Washington. I have been in office
almost continuously since then. I
know well the comradeship of the
British and American people in the
war and our close cooperation In
peace: and 1t has been my object
as Deputy Prime Minister or Prime
Minister to do my utmost to pro-
mote the cooperation between our
people.
During the war, we had one
common objective-victory. Since
the war we have also shared just
that one airn-the preservation Of
peace and the promotion Of free
dom and prosperity throughout the
world.
Our governments are very well
served by our ambassadors on both
sides Of the Atlantic. Our secre-
tarieS of state In the realm Of
foreign affairs are in close, friendly
and constant communication.
There was, I think, never time
when cooperation was closer or
more friendly.
Nevertheless, I believe, as I stated
when laSded here, that 1t would
be of great value for me to talk
with President Truman. I wanted
to have with him the broadest
possible survey Of world affairs and
the frankest interchange OF views.
For the objectives of our two
countries are the same, but it is
inevitable that with our different |
geographical conditions, and in
view of the particular responsible
ties which we each carry, there
should be some difference of
emphasis. We see things from diff
ferent sides, with lights and |
shadows from one direction and |
from another.
Ends Not in Doubt.
Our talks are still in progress,
but / can say already that they
are doing just this: They are
enabling us to understand each
others point of view. and that Is
the first and most necessary step
in the process of forming a
common policy, for the ends we
seek are not In dispute or doubt.
I am glad to be your guest today
because in free democracy-I
emphasize that, free democracy
the press has a most important
function to perform. 1t is your
task to interpret governments to
citizens, citizens to governments,
governments to governments and
peoples to peoples. Your function
is the very vital one-to give all
our people the basis for forming
right judgments. These judgments
are free in a democracy. In I'M
democratic countries, the function
of the press is to tell the people
what the government wants them
to know.
The proper basis is the truth, for
in democratic countries we do not
fear the truth. My object today
must be to try, within the limits
of freedom which responsible Office
entails, to give you the truth as I
seek 1t so that you who are in this
room may know it and tell it to
your readers and those who are
listening to me outside may hear
1t in their own homes.
Positions as of Today.
Let me turn to the position as
1t Is today. Our two countries are
two of the leading countries in the
United Nations. We are engaged
in a great adventure, the adventure