Evening star., 1952-01-20
A Goin for the Free World

Now that Prime Minister Churchill has
wound up his official business In the United
States, the agreements resulting from his talks
with President Truman are receiving q mixed
reception on both sides of the Atlantic. AS has
happened time and again in the past in dealings
between our two countries, there are American
critics who assert that our Government has had
the wool pulled over it's eyes by Perfidious Albion
However, to even matters, there are at least as
many British critics who are willing to swear
that their government hos been grievously out
bargained by hard-hearted Uncle Sam.
But regardless OF the critics our own and
the British alike-there is good reason to believe
that both our nations, together with the free
world at large, win benefit substantially from the
give-and-take involved In the agreements the
most specific Of which are the following: a.
The designation of an American-Admiral Lynde
D. McCornick-to be supreme commander of the
Atlantic Pact's Allied naval forces and (2) the
arrangements under which the United States
will sell million long tons of steel to the United
Kingdom during the current year in exchange
for 10000 long tons of tin and 551 million
pounds Of aluminium.
The command agreement, which apparently
has been coldly received by numerous Britons
represents retreat by Mr.. Churchill from his
earlier insistence on giving the post to one of
his own countrymen. While he has won q con-
cession that recognizes the absolute authority
of the British Admiralty over the home waters
of the United Kingdom, he has bowed to the
fact that logic and common sense, in view Of the
great preponderance of our seapower in the
Atlantic, dictate that an American should head
the naval forces of the NATO alliance. Similarly,
although 1t has met with some criticism in our
metals industry, the steel-tin- aluminium under
standing also is based on logic and common
sense. Certainly, even though not perfect (such
things are never perfect, 1t promises to be
effective in helping our two countries to cope
with shortages in materials vital to the defense
Of the West
Actually, the significance of these two con-
crete agreements probably is overshadowed by
the significance of what the Truman-Churchiu
talks have achieved in terms of promoting
closer Anglo American thinking and teamwork
In meeting the Communist threat throughout the
globe. This aspect Of the conferences has not
been spelled out in detail but enough has been
announced to make clear that a better concert
Of views has been attained as regards areas like
Southeast Asia and that Britain, despite its recog-
milton of Red Peiping viii join us in appropriate
counteraction If the Chinese Communists violate
a possible truce in Korea or commit aggression
elsewhere in that part Of the world.
Everything considered, therefore, it seems
fairly obvious that Anglo-American relations
have been strengthened by Mr.. Churchill's visit.
At any rate, all signs indicate that past policy
divergencies although not eliminated entirely,
have been significantly narrowed. This Is some
thing that should encourage every non-Soviet
land, for Britain and the United States are the
key powers-the "core" powers the free world,
and the more they see eye to eye and the closer
their comradeship the better equipped that
world will be to stave OF the menace of Red
totalitarianism.