Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-13

bit the Conservative leader.
: Mr.. Kaberry has been assist
ant government whip and now is
party vice chairman.
The next visit was with Pat
rick Gordon Walker in the book
and newspaper-strewn library in
his suburban rowhouse. Mr.
Walker held several important
government posts when the
Labor Party was in power and
\ would be one of the men talked
about for a cabinet job if Labor
4 came back. He was dressed II
4 old Stacks and sweater jacket
II and seated close to small gas
fireplace and a portble type
/ writer.
State Views on Change
Both men started in agree
ment. They regretted that Sil
Anthony Eden's health had failed
and sympathized with him in his
personal tragedy.
Mr.. Kaberry was Sorry illness
forced Mr.. Eden to step down
Mr.. Walker. however. said he
was glad there was a change in
government. though the change
wasn't enough.
THE whole government is
equally responsible for Suez. u
Mr.. Walker said. They can't
purge themselves Of that re-
sponsibility by changing Prime
Ministers"
When asked if Harold Mac
milan was the best man for the
job. Mr.. Kaberry said HE is a
strong, capable leader. Commons
has exhausted itself in fighting
over the Suez. Macmillan is the
man to bring dignity back to the
House. And he'll pull the coun-
try together. too. He's a man of
action and his accomplishments
will gain country wide support. "
1T seems to me Macmillan has
been tired for several months. Z"
Mr.. Walker said. Eden was
weak and inadequate. I just
don't know about Macmillan.
And there's an almost frivo-
lous element in his attitude, "
Mr.. Walker added.
Differ on Choice
Mr.. Kaberry thought Macmil-
Ian was the best choice for the job
because he had broad support.
Mr.. Walker said both Macmil-
Ian and Richard A. (Rab) But
Ter, the other leading candidate,
had defects of capacity and
character and then said, We've
all been spoiled in our genera
ton by Sir Winston and Attlee.
From 1910 to 1851 we had Prime
Ministers everyone could respect
even If they disagreed with
them" But he doubted If either
Macmillan or Butler could
achieve that stature.
The Laborite also raised ques-
ton of means of succession. He
picked a copy of The Times of
the floor and pointed to a story
about the Labor Party charge
that the Conservatives brought
the Queen into party politics by
having her choose between two
popular men. The Labor Party,
Mr.. Walker said, agrees formally
to one mans leadership before
recommending that the Queen
appoint him.
Conservative Kaberry's reac-
ton to the Labor charge was a
snorted rubbish"
1.-THE Queen acted on advice
of the best political minds in the
party" he said. "She talked to
Eden. Churchill. Lord Salisbury
and her private secretary, doubt
less talked to other party leaders
who know its membership init
mately."
He ridiculed the Labor sug-
gestion that the Queen could
have been put into a position
where she could make a mistake.
The Conservative system, he
said, insures that the Queen will
select a man who has the party's
firm backing.
He said. in fact, that the Mac
milan government will have a
long life and that an early cleo
ton is out of the question.
II believe the government will
find it very difficult to survive"
Mr.. Walker predicted. The Suez
venture and the party shakeup
left deep personal divisions, he
said. These divisions will make