A Warm Trip South

As he stepped out of his grey-and-gold Viscount at Washington National Airport, Canada's Prime Minister John Diefenbaker radiated anticipation and good cheer. Hustling up to the knot of waiting U.S. and Canadian officials, he grasped the arm of newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Canada Livingston Merchant and confided: "We're very glad you're coming, we couldn't be more pleased." Then, turning to face the TV cameras, the man who has taken as strong a position as anyone in his nation against excessive U.S. influence over Canada firmly declared: "When I read of the so-called deterioration of U.S.-Canadian relationships, I realize that the people who hold these views have no understanding of our truly close ties. We've had our disagreements, but in every case the source of our disagreements has been removed."

At the White House steps the smiling, bareheaded Prime Minister was greeted by a smiling, bareheaded President. First in Kennedy's west-wing office and then over lunch, the two heads of state ranged through the world's manifold crises, lingering longest over Canadian-U.S. problems. Anxious to counteract the impression left by Canadians who argue that their nation should opt out of joint air defense with the U.S., Diefenbaker assured Kennedy that Canada "has not the slightest intention of being neutralist" and intends to remain an active military partner of the U.S.

Some Canadians had wondered how well the older, ceremonious Prime Minister would get on with the casual young President, but by lunchtime the two men had their heads together, exchanging private quips. When he got back to Ottawa in the late afternoon, Diefenbaker, his face flushed with excitement, told newsmen: "It was an exhilarating experience. The President is most impressive, a truly tremendous personality."

Then Diefenbaker rushed off to the House of Commons to announce that President Kennedy had agreed to make his first official visit out of the U.S. to Canada some time before June. The House burst into cheers, and as Cabinet members clustered around their triumphant boss even Opposition Leader Lester Pearson rose to offer his congratulations.

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