THE LABOUR LEADERS, I see, have been reviving the myth
that Mr. Attlee's sudden journey to Washington during the Korean war prevented President Truman from starting to use atom bombs. In fact, of course. President Truman had not the smallest intention of dropping atom bombs on the Chinese; but, misled by inaccurate newspaper reports, Mr.. Attlee dashed off to America. Richard Rovere and ArthUr Schlesinger, Jnr.. in their book The General and the President describe his meeting with Truman as , the 'most pointless conference of its sort ever held.' The danger today is far greater than it was eight years ago, but the Prime Minister was obviously right to tell Mr. Gaitskell that there was not much point in his going to Washington when the Foreign Secretary was already there. Not that Mr. Selwyn Lloyd is in the best position to urge the virtues of restraint and to stress the peril of going it alone—but then, nor is Mr. Macmillan.
* * *
Previous page
