WASHINGTON, March 7, 1946 (UP) - American editorial comment on Winston Churchill's speech:
The New York Times: Whether all of Mr. Churchill's proposals are acceptable to the United States or not is not the main point now. The American people have long since realized that the United States and Great Britain are governed by a common destiny which brought them together in two world wars and would inevitably do so in any future war. Sharing Mr. Churchill's anxieties about the future, they will give a sympathetic hearing to his proposals for averting a new catastrophe.
The New York Herald Tribune: A "good understanding" between Russia and the West, however it is to be obtained, is the essential today; and in seeking it, America and the British Commonwealth will always, because of the similarity of their ideas, institutions and interests, be found basically united...one must hope that the explosive directness with which he (Churchill) has stated it will force all sides, in Moscow, London, Washington and in the Fultons of the world, to face some of the real implications of what is, after all, their common problem.
The newspaper PM: It was an ideological declaration of war against Russia. More than that, it was a call for America to join Britain in an anti-Comintern part...Churchill's brand of imperialism is still his ideal, but the British no longer have the strength unaided to make it work. Hence he calls on the American to help. Will the Americans fall for it? It is hard to believe that they will...When the head of a state introduces a speaker who makes a savage ideological attack on another state, he makes that attack on his own. President Truman has put the whole prestige of his Administration behind Churchill's words. From now on the crisis can only sharpen.
Chicago Sun: Winston Churchill at Fulton was fighting for his world. It is a world which no longer exists in reality. It cannot be reconstituted. It ought not to be reconstituted. To follow the standard raised by this great but blinded aristocrat would be to march to the world's most ghastly war.
Chicago Daily News: "It has not been the American way to enter formally into military alliances. We should consider gravely whether the world's peace at this juncture would be served by such an alliance with Britain. But to Russia and many other countries, it must seem as if in essence that condition already exists.
Philadelphia Record: "In the event that Britain and Russia went to war, is there any doubt as to what America would do - sooner or later? We were almost too late last time. If we are too late next time - there will never be another chance.
Boston Globe: He (Churchill) invites the United States to become heir to the evils of a collapsing colonialism and inevitably their defender, all the way from North Africa to the China sea. Throughout those regions this Nation's repute today rests on other more affirmative foundations: The hope and trust built by a century and a half of adherence to other goals and other ideals."
