GREAT BRITAIN: The Primrose Path

The old warrior, so often called a war monger, seemed further intent on reversing his reputation. At a time when the tactical situation seemed to demand a show of determination in the face of the confident Communists at Geneva, Sir Winston’s head seemed a dream with thoughts of compromise, concessions and soft words. Speaking last week to the Primrose League.* Churchill entered an unexpected personal plea for the establishment of “links” with Russia “which, in spite of all distractions and perils and contradictions, would convince the Russian people and the Soviet government that we wish them peace, happiness and ever-increasing and ever-expanding prosperity . . . and that we long to see them play a proud and splendid part in the guidance of the human race.”

The Prime Minister made one other pertinent remark. “Matters are becoming more and more tangled and complicated here and abroad than I can remember in my long experience,” he said.

The British government last week lifted all controls on the export of rubber to the Soviet bloc. Explained British officials: Russia can get all the rubber it needs anyway from other sources, such as Indonesia, is not even buying all it might under the control quota (limited to Russia’s estimated civilian needs), and the new gesture would help Malaya’s sagging rubber trade. Sale of rubber is still banned to Communist China, Hong Kong, Macao and Tibet. But there will be nothing to prevent Malayan rubber from finding its way from, say, Vladivostok via a Manchurian tire factory to a Chinese truck outside Dienbienphu.

-A Tory Party organization which gets its name from Disraeli’s fondness for a primrose boutonniere.