Evening star., 1953-10-08
Eden Stresses
Unity Of West,
Asks Red Talks
Returning Secretary
Rups Luborites for
Criticism of U. S.
BY the Associated Press

MAHGA1E, England, Oct. B.
Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden
declared today Britain will work
increasingly for East-West talks
at whatever level possible despite
RuSSia'S negative attitude.
In his first public appearance
after siX-month sick leave, Mr..
Eden told the opening session Of
the annual Conservative Party
Conference that Prime Minister
Churchill'S government is also
seeking ways to assure the So
vietS that we do not threaten
their security"
Mr.. Eden stressed that the first
aim of British policy is Ito main
tain the unity and strength of
the Western alliance" And Brit
ain, he asserted, is determined
to keep our alliance defensive in
character, to indulge in no provo
cation, and to take advantage Of
any and every opportunity for
settling difficulties and solving
disputes"
THAT is our policy" he con-
tinued. There is room in it for
any meeting or conference which
seems to be practicable or profit
able. There is certainly room in
it for assurances to the SovietS
that we do not threaten their
security. We are working on
that, to see in what form such
assurances might be given"
Blasts Critics of u. S.
Mr.. Eden launched a sharp at
tack on recent Labor Party criti-
cism blaming the United States
for failure to hold the four-power
talks suggested May IL by Prime
Minister Churchill. Mr.. Eden
said:
ITO read some comments, you
would think that a four-power
meeting at the highest level was
some magic formula which only
the Americans prevent us from
enjoying. That is of course the
greatest nonsense"
Mr.. Eden said the latest Soviet
reply September 20 to the West
ern note proposing a conference
on Germany shows mo eagerneSS
for a meeting on any level"
"It (the Soviet note) is an in
volved and negative document
to which, I trust, we shall
speedily return a clear and posi-
tive reply. Because, for our
part, we really want this four
power meeting on Germany"
Mr.. Eden received an enthu-
Siastic ovation from the 1000
representatives attending the
Conservative conference. He was
cheered as he entered the hall
and again as ne rose to speak.
Intends to Keep Job.
His face was tanned and he
looked like man who has had
a successful recovery from a
long illness. He was somewhat
thinner and his hair was a bit
grayer than it was six months
ago.
MIR. Eden departed from his
text to give ringing affirmation
of his intention to remain as
Foreign Secretary. He said that
during his illness he had seen
suggestions that he undertake a
less exacting post. But he
added:
Anybody with experience in
this field would feel that he
should continue to give service
just now"
He declared that this, in his
view, was not a good time to
make a change in the Foreign
Office.
Will Cooperate With u. S.
The conference unanimously
adopted a resolution "welcom-
ing any sincere and firm ap-
preach that may yet be made
from the East" but expressing
belief that preservation of free
dom depends on the closest CO.
operation between the British
commonwealth, Europe and
America"
Mr. Eden particularly en-
phasized the Importance of the
North Atlantic Alliance to the
security of Britain and the free
world and said chances for the
European army (EDC) are bet
ter than they have been for some