Evening star., 1951-04-23
Douglas Calls Britain
Last Reliable Bastion
Against Iron Curtain
By the Associoted Press

NEW 1orth, April zS.-LeW1s
w. Douglas. former ambassador
to Great Britain, said today tn,
United States and Britain neec
each other now far more than "a
any time in their history"
I'm between the two major
seats of power-the U. S. S. r. ir
the east and the United States ir
the West-Britain represents the
last reliable bastion of strength
between the Iron Curtain and oul
own Shores" Mr.. Douglas said.
He spoke at the annual lunch
con of the Associated Press
world wide news gathering CO.
operative. His address before
more than 1,100 persons in the
grand ballroom of the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel was broadcast over
the Mutual Network.
Notes Differences.
Mr.. Douglas, now chairman OF
the board of the Mutual Life In
surance Co. of New York, was
ambassador to Britain from 1947
until late in 1850.
Mr.. Douglas noted that differ
ences of opinion had arisen be-
tween the United States and
Britain over certain actions in the
field of foreign affairs. But he
said that these were often more
differences about methods than
about purposes"
1.-THE attitude of caution which
Britain has revealed toward GER
tain proposals about the Far East
has caused a certain number OF
Americans to raise their eye
brows," Mr.. Douglas said. There
are various reasons for what has
appeared to be British caution.
1t reflects, in part, an attitude
common to several members of
the Commonwealth, including
Canada and Australia"
Precept of Behavior.
Mr.. Douglas said a fundamental
precept of behavior in interna-
tional affairs was to be ready to
take the steps which may be re-
uuired after taking the first-no
matter how far-reaching may be
the effects"
Failure to recognize it and
weigh it in the scale of calm and
dispassionate wisdom is precisely
what may lead us unwittingly into
a full-scale war of tremendous
dimensions and frightful conse-
quences." he said. 'It is the
feeling that we possibly may not
be fully aware of the significance
of this guiding principle that, I
suspect. accounts for the reac-
tions of Britain, Canada and the
Commonwealth to the crises of
recent years"
Mr.. Douglas said the British
Commonwealth has far-reaching
interests, and observed that India
and Pakistan afford the western
world link with Asia"
China Recognition Premature.
1T is essential" he said, that
We as Occidentals have an au-
thoritative Oriental assessment of
Asia's susceptibilities to the dan
gerous alliance of Soviet military
strength with the unrealizeable
promises of communism.
Mr.. Douglas said the United
Kingdoms recognition of Commu-
mist China was premature, but
said the action was taken because
OF consideration of the usefulness
OF India in resolving some of the
problems peculiar to Asia.
If Britain made a mistake in
extending a too early recognition
to the Communist government in
China, we. too, have made serious
mistakes in Asia" he said. Some
may even have induced the Ko-
rean war. The two of us to-
gether have made a botch of a
nasty and extremely dangerous
situation"
Difficulties of Reporting.
At the morning business session,
the Associated Press Board of
Directors reported that widespread
strife and unsettled world condi-
tionS had added to the difficulties
and hazards of news reporting.
The past year has imposed ex-
traordinary strains on the staff OF
the Associated Press, as it has
upon every one seeking to report
world events honestly, intelli-
gently and effectively" the board
said In its annual report.
I'm the midst of great contro-
versy and emotional partisanship
there are always criticism and
consequent challenges to reporto-
rial capacity. The board desires
to record its satisfaction with the
way the staff has met these chal-
lengeS."
At the business session, seven
AP directors will be chosen to fill
six expiring terms and a vacancy
caused by death.
Directors whose terms expire
this year are:
E. Lansing Ray, st. Louis Globe
Democrat; Roy A. Roberts, Kan.
SaS City Star: L. K. Nicholson.
New Orleans Times Picayune:
Palmer Hoyt, Denver Post; John S
Knight, Chicago Daily News, and
Stuart H. Perry, Adriana (Mich }
Telegram.
Mr.. Perry represents newspapers
OF less than $4,000 circulation.
Mr.. Ray, Mr.. Nicholson and Mr..
Perry are retiring under AP by
laws which limit the service of
board members to three consecu-
tive terms.
Nominees Listed.
Harold A. Fitzgerald of the
Pontiac Daily Press headed a
Nominating Committee which
placed these 10 members in NOM
ination for five directorships:
Mr.. Roberts, Mr.. Hoyt, Mr..
Knight. James M. Cox, jr., Dayton
Daily Nouc. w II Touloc Cro