MRS. ROOSEVELT IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 26, 26 October 1942, Page 4

MRS. ROOSEVELT IN BRITAIN

Guest Of J£ing And Queen

STUDY OF WOMEN’S WAR ACTIVITIES

(British Official Wireless and Press Assn.) (Received October 25, 7 p.m.) LONDON, October 24.

Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt has arrived in Britain at the invitation of the King and Queen to gain first-hand knowledge of British women’s war activities and to visit the United States forces in Great Britain.’ She is accompanied by Miss. Malvina Thompson and will be the guest of the King and Queen during the first part of her visit. She was met at Paddington station this afternoon by the King and Queen, and talked with them for several minutes before leaving with Their Majesties.

There was an air of informality when Their Majesties welcomed Mrs. Roosevelt at the station. The platform was decorated with the Stars and Stripes -and the Union Jack. The King, in R.A.F. uniform, stepped forward and shook hands, and the Queen, with a smile of welcome, also shook hands warmly, and asked about the trip. The little group stood for a few minutes while news cameras recorded the event, Mrs. Roosevelt smiling happily and talking animatedly. The King first introduced Mr. Eden. Mrs. Roosevelt then presented Miss Thompson to Their Majesties. The time and .place of Mrs. Roosevelt’s arrival had been liept secret, but Londoners soon got wind -of what was happening, and toy the time she drove but of the station with the King and Queen there were crowds of people, ineluding some of the American troops in Britain, to give her a big cheer. s

Mrs. Roosevelt is expected to stay in Britain for two or three weeks. Before lunching with the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace, to meet chiefs of the women’s services, Mrs. Roosevelt this morning said, when commenting on her visit, '“I am interested in every phase of what women in Britain have accomplished. You have had a good many more years’ experience than, we have had. A great many men and some women have thought at home that women would not ■ be needed for various things. They are now, finding that women are very much needed for a good many things. I think there is a. great deal for me to learn, aud I ajn hoping to learn all I can—l think that is a great deal—from your experience.” Visit To Blitzed Areas. After luncheon Mrs. Roosevelt accompanied Their (Majesties* on a visit to St. Paul’s and the blitzed areas iu the city and the East End. They were given a warm welcome by a ■ large crowd outside St. Paul’s. At the City A.R.P. Control Centre they were welcomed toy' the Lord Mayor. News of the tour had reached the East End. Crowds lined the streets and children waved flags. After a tour of inspection they' took tea with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress at Mansion House. The warmth of the welcome accorded Mrs. Roosevelt by the people is reflected by Press comment on the visit. ‘‘The Times” particularly welcomes the prospect of -Mrs,. Roosevelt’s continuing in England the kind of public services she is accustomed to pursue in the United States, travelling widely, taking interest in people and bringing back to her husband a view of the American scene. The “Daily Mail” comments that the visit, like the Royal visit to America, “has unceremonious aspects of friendship, not only between personalities but between peoples.”