LORD HALIFAX

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 December 1940, Page 5

LORD HALIFAX

APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TO U.S.A. MR. EDEN BECOMES FOREIGN SECRETARY. j CAPTAIN MARGESSON ADDED TO CABINET. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 22. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lord Halifax, has been named ,as British Ambassador to Washington in succession to Lord Lothian. Mr Anthony Eden has been appointed Foreign Minister and Captain David Margesson, Chief Whip of the Conservative Party, has been appointed War Minister in succession to Mr Eden. The Dominions Secretary, Lord Cranborne, has been created a baron, thus enabling him to handle foreign affairs in the House of Lords in place of Lord Halifax. He is a former Foreign Under-Secretary. WELL RECEIVED BRITISH AND AMERICAN PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, December 23. Both in Britain and the United States the Press welcomes the appointment of Lord Halifax as British Ambassador to Washington. In this appointment “The Times” sees recognition of the fact that AngloAmerican relations are more important at this moment than anything else in Britain’s foreign policy. The “News Chronicle” says that short of sending himself, Mr Churchill could not have done any more to emphasise British regard for the AngloAmerican link.

The “Daily Telegraph” predicts that Americans will warmly welcome the appointment of a man of such deep sincerity and broad liberal thought. On the other side of the Atlantic the “New York Times” remarks that the British Government has paid the United States the compliment of sending a man of the highest qualifications. There is no greater opponent of Hitlerism and all it stands for, it says, than this gentle, great-hearted Englishman. Washington reports says the appointment has given deep satisfaction in official circles. The Secretary of State, Mr Hull, is reported to hold Lord Halifax in the highest regard and an official spokesman of the Administration said that the appointment was eminently satisfactory. The American public, with whom Mr Eden is very popular, is described as being pleased at his return to the Foreign Secretaryship. He is regarded as an outstanding opponent of appeasement. Discussing the choice of Lord Halifax, a London commentators said that it was the first time in British history that a Foreign Secretary had left his post to become an Ambassador. He would go to what was at present the most vital diplomatic post in the world.

In Britain, he said, the appointment had met with complete approval, and he was happy to believe that it would meet with similar approval in the United States. The choice strongly emphasised the importance •' Mr Churchill attached to relations with the United States, and the sending of the Foreign Minister was in. turn a great compliment to that country, enhanced as it was by Lord Halifax’s qualities of mind and character. The speaker did not doubt that Lord Halifax would win in his new post the esteem which he everywhere enjoyed in Britain.

His membership of the War Cabinet had made him cognisant of Britain’s needs and policy so that he would need no briefing and would have, everything at his fingertips. Lord Halifax was a man of liberal ■mind and had been called the greatest; Liberal in the Conservative Party. He was a man of high principles and of deep religious fervour, a good sportsman and not without a sense of humour, and a man whose sincerity and absolute integrity were outstanding. It was recalled that during his term as Viceroy of India he developed and maintained with Gandhi the most cordial relations, despite their political differences.

He could not be called a great orator, but he had made many good speeches and it was confidently predicted that Americans would like him. The commentator described Captain Margesson as thoughtful, competent and a fluent speaker. He had never before been head of a great department of State but he knew the ropes and knew how to handle his party. He had now been, chosen to handle a vital defence service at a critical time, a task which would provide scope for his talents of organisation.