The Most Important Political Factor in the World Today

Mr. Anthony Eden declared, in remarks he made in New York after returning from a trip through the United States and Canada that lasted a full month: The most important political factor in the world today is American-British friendship. A world war can indeed be avoided if this friendship between the two nations endures. If we preserve this friendship of ours, it will be within our power to preserve peace; and if we lose it, we may well squander peace and lose it. I have traveled the length of the United States to listen, to learn, and to profit, and I found that the Americans harbor a deep friendship for the British. I believe that the social, political, and defensive condition of Western Europe is better and stronger than it was last year, and that thanks to the good leadership of General Eisenhower. And I can say that if we are able to build up our strength without any fear or dread of the dangers, we shall be able to complete and achieve our aims — namely, the settling of peace and the establishment of its reign, through our strength alone. And I predict that a day must come when negotiations for peace will be laid before us; I believe that life behind the Iron Curtain is no easy matter, and that events cannot but drive the Soviet leaders to desire peaceful negotiations and to seek them.