Evening star., 1952-01-06
Mr.. Churchill in Town

DeSplte last weeks British press reports to
the contrary-reports which President Truman
has rightly branded as foolish-Prime Minister
Winston Churchill can rest assured that he is
most welcome visitor in our midst. He prob
ably does not have to be told that. BY this
time having been over here on more than
few occasions in the past he must certainly
have pretty good inkling of the fact that no
man abroad can match his popularity in the
United States. To put the matter quite simply
the American people, with measure of awe as
well as genuine liking regard him as kind
OF Joe Di Maggie in the arena of world politics.
This is not surprising of course Mr..
Churchill has long since attained a position of
unique eminence in our country as Britains
indomitable wartime leader-a souls stirring
orator, superb literary craftsman and Wig
orouS creative minded executive with an i'm
mense talent for dealing decisively and we'll with
political and military problems of the first mag
nitude. statesman of vision, philosopher
historian whose heart, mind, tongue and pen
have rendered priceless service to human free
dom, he has been, and still is one of the few
truly great international figures of our time
Moreover, as far as the United States is con-
cerned there is a particularly close tie between
him and us because of his ceaseless champion
ship of the strongest possible Anglo-American
friendship.
That friendship-whi is thing of great
Importance not only to our own country and
Britain but to the entire free world-has had
its ups and downs, and it is still having them.
At the moment primarily because of the turbu-
lence and complexities of international affairs,
it is afflicted with certain strains and stresses,
and that is why Mr.. Churchills latest visit is
especially welcome. For the Prime Minister, in
his new talks with the President can be counted
upon to set forth his governments position with
vigor, clarity, sense of proportion and unfail-
ing good WILL and MIR. Truman, speaking for the
United States, can be counted upon to do the
same. Their interchange of views caN hardly
fail to have happy results. Although it is not
likely to settle all points at issue or lead to
spectacular decisions, it almost certainly will
clear the atmosphere in way that should
leave no room for doubt in the Kremlin or else
where about the basic unity of purpose and
continuing strength of Anglo-American relations.
The agenda for the talks has not been pub
lished, but it is a safe assumption that the
President and the Prime Minister will discuss
the following matters among others: % The
defense of the West including Britains role in
the command setup of the Atlantic Pact: (2)
the Churchill governments position in relation
to a unified all-European army, with German
coal and steel resources; 81 atomic questions
bearing upon our A-bomber bases in East Anglia
and fuller exchange of information on nuclear-
energy developments; a. Standardization of
weapons; (5) the Middle East, with particular
emphasis critical events in Iran and Egypt;
60 policy issues regarding Japan, Korea, threat
full Red China and Asia in general; and CD
economic stringencies growing out of heavy
rearmament.
1t requires only a glance to see how these
subjects involve extremely difficult problems
affecting every corner of the globe. They are
problems whose very nature obviously rules 'out
the possibility that Mr.. Truman and Mr.. Church.
i'll will be able to agree in detail and announce
pat solutions by the time their talks end. Yet
the two men, aided by large stats of specialists
undoubtedly can do much, and very probably
will, to promote concert of views further
strengthening the security of the free world as
a whole. Soviet Foreign Minister Vishinsky, with
his usual graciousness, has jeered at the great
Prime Minister for coming here. His jeering
he can be reasonably sure, will serve merely to
bring Britain and America closer together.