741.00/5–1253: Telegram
No. 410
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom
(Aldrich) to the Department of
State1
secret
London, May 12, 1953—5
p.m.
6041. Embassy offers following comments Churchill speech of yesterday (Embtel 6028, May 112).
- 1.
- Foreign affairs debate had been postponed several times and HMG had remained relatively silent on President’s speech, Soviet “peace” moves, and Panmunjom negotiations. It was widely believed Churchill would make important statement and House of Commons was, therefore, in expectant and highly keyed up mood. Churchill did not disappoint his listeners. In delivery, tone, and content, speech was, perhaps, Churchill’s greatest performance since war, and he touched whole range of emotions of British people.
- 2.
- On almost every subject he discussed, he received full support of all sides of Commons. For example, without mentioning delicate issue General Harrison’s conduct truce negotiations, he was nonetheless able to encompass views both left and right by saying, with respect to Korean negotiations, that it was “our duty without separating ourselves from our great ally to express our opinion plainly to them as occasion offers”.
- 3.
- Commons unanimous approval his remarks especially so regarding proposal for high-level meeting with Soviets. As Department aware, Churchill has been advancing this idea for several years. We feel his motives are mixed: He genuinely feels such negotiations might at least open way to improve atmosphere between East and West; he has been sensitive to war-mongering charge advanced by Labor speakers during last election and is anxious to disprove it; time is running out on his career and he may feel that if this dramatic move succeeds, it might be his highest achievement. Churchill has now explicitly committed himself to initiation of high-level talks and we feel that pressure on him now from British public to carry out this proposal will be strong. (Full text Churchill speech airpouched today. With reference call for negotiations with Soviets note Churchill’s suggestion that new Locarno, satisfying Soviet fears, might be desirable.)
- 4.
- For first time in major address on foreign affairs, Churchill did not mention Anglo-American alliance or necessity solidarity with United States. Some of his references to United States policy were at least implicitly critical. It is, unfortunately, true that Churchill mirrored present feeling Commons and nation on this subject.
- 5.
- Embassy believes speech in considerable measure represents Churchill the politician taking account of widespread disappointment and apprehension which now exists among British with respect to policies new United States administration. He stole opposition fire by saying many things Labor would have said if he had not. At some points applause was stronger from opposition than from his own ranks. While his speech was characteristic of the Churchillian temperament, it also reflected serious British misgivings about the present state of Anglo-American relations.
- 6.
- For press reaction Churchill’s speech, see special supplement to Thames cable number 1741.3
Aldrich