Eden on Political Visit, Says Owen

Anthony Eden's visit to America is a political, rather than a military mission, and probably has to do with the establishment of a post-war world, according to David E. Owen, associate professor of History, and tutor in the department of History.

"In the future, as hostilities fade, we will have more to do with Eden than any other man in Britain." Owen continued. "As the British Cordell Hull he is chiefly concerned with what the Allies will do after the war rather than what they do now, since most of their present action is military rather than political."

May Concern Russia

The visit most probably concerns either Russia or North Africa, although anything that can be said about North Africa would have been more appropriate a month ago, since most of the problems concerning that territory seemed, according to Giraud's recent speech, to have been partially settled.

If the mission is primarily concerned with Russia, then it will be more connected with the future than the present. It might be that America and Britain have different ideas on what Russia will want after the war, and the purpose of the visit is for the two countries to compare ideas and perhaps reach an agreement. It is also possible that its purpose is for the two nations to get together to draft an Auglo-American pact to present to the Soviet Union.

Spotiess Record

Eden's record in international politics is almost spotless. He sensed the menace of fascism before any other Conservative politician except Churchill, whom Owen thinks might have made the trip had he not been ill.

Eden acted very creditably in his dispute with Chamberlain, which ended is his resignation and gained the admiration of many for his outspokenness. A common view for England and America towards postwar settlement is probably the primary aim of his recent trip.