Bleak Return

From the Jamaica sun, Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden and his wife flew into a London evening lit fitfully by a pale moon amidst scudding rain clouds. Tanned and in almost obliviously good spirits, Eden read a prepared statement before banked television cameras, as Lord Privy Seal R. A. Butler sat unsmiling and pale beside him.

"I am glad to be back amongst you all again," said Eden. "I went away to get fit, and now I am absolutely fit to resume my duties." He emphasized that he had been consulted and had approved all major Cabinet decisions, launched into a defense of his policies. "I am sure from my postbag and otherwise that what we have done has been right. There is a growing understanding in Canada"--here he looked up into the cameras and raised his voice-"and also in the United States. I am sure this will go on increasing." Then he recited what might be called the second set of reasons for Britain's intervention in Egypt: it brought about the creation of a U.'N. force, and exposed Russian intentions in the Middle East. Set No. i-Britain intervened to separate the combatants and protect the canal--has not been popular for some time. Concluded Eden: "I am more convinced than I have been about anything in my political life that what we have done is right . . . and history will prove it."

With that, Eden drove off to 10 Downing Street. Twice his car was stopped by long lines of cars blocking the roads around gasoline stations as motorists seized their last chance to fill their tanks before the imposition of rationing. At 10 Downing Street, a small crowd mustered a faint cheer and a scattering of boos. Waiting only to receive India's Prime Minister Nehru next day, Eden retired to Chequers, the Prime Minister's country home, for the weekend.

Eden faced greater trouble than his manner suggested. The drama of Suez, which had roused patriotic support for him, was over. Now Britain faced the bleak penalties of the blocked canal, which were making their dragging weight felt in every British home and factory. Three influential journals--the Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Economist--greeted his return by wondering, almost with one voice, whether Eden was up to his job. Wrote the Daily Telegraph, the most Tory of them all: "The strain will become greater, not less. If Sir Anthony can bear it, and give the leadership for which the country is crying out, well and good. If not, another must step into the breach."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.