f
DID IT HAPPEN?
I THINK it was in the early spring of 1930, or it may have been '29, "that I arrived in Paris after a protracted skiing holiday in the Tyrol, and looked in for a drink at the Ritz Bar.
It is sald that it is impossible to sit there long without meeting a friend, and, I suppose, that was even truer in those carefree days before we were all shackled by currency restrictions then it is now,
I was pleased rether than, surprised there- fore when I saw Angela O'Connor sitting at
a corner table sipping one of dear old Frank,
the barman's
very
martinia
dry
WAS Cven
more pleased when
the
tok me that abe
ww
alone and like myself, just
through Parls.
She shook herself fran. “É muit get out.”
THE CHINA MAÍL, SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1959.
FIRST FLIGHT
"I'm leaving on the morning irpin Lomorrow, 50
Wo Cont
travel back together," she Buid.
"I'm straid not," I told her. "You see. I'm flying. But why not join me? It's so much quicker."
"Nothing would induce me to!" she said emphatically. "I've never down and I never will."
It was late that night while we were sitting over our coffee and brandy at Maxim's that she changed her mind.
"One should try everything once, she declared with i suspected. a certain bravado. "Let's drink to my first night."
I don't think she would have been able to get a sect on the
by Anthony HECKSTALL SMITH
ANTHONY HICKSTALL-SMITH WAS
educated at Malvern and went info Fleet Street as vochting journalist. During the war he served in the RNVR, was awarded the DSC and was three times mentioned in despatches.
He wrote the highly controversigt play, Luggernaut, belare the war. Hia new novel, Murder on the Brain, will be publabed shortly.
boxing me in, so that I WOR
by overwhelmed
an awful claustrophobia.
Furiously, I told myself I wan fool to allow a silly, nervous Shunting Woman to scare me. my eyes and longing for the motor to start, I determined not until to look at Angela again we were algborne.
I felt her fur coat
crush againot my cheek and opening my eyes was astonished and appalled to see her standing up facing the rest of the passengers. As she started down the ging- way, I grabbed at her sleeve.
"For God's saku, sit down!" I
JJMTÆжРsald angelly.
plane at the last minute except the mechanics started swinging A moment later, just before for the fact that several pasien-
propellers, I heard her Bera cancelled their fighis when the the booking clerk unnounced fumbling in her handbag and that owing in bad weather the saw, her take out her elgaretio Hanmbol was to be replaced by
a smaller plane.
That's a bit of luck," I said,
watched
AG elderly
as I'
case.
She shook herself Lace. "I shall go mad! I shall go mad!” must get ouli II. I don't, I—I
she shrieked.
It was useless to reason with her; uselesa to keep bleating that I was too late to get off. I could see that she was on the very edge of hysterics.
Mac's Message
THERE are times when some of us who are engaged in politics wonder if the British system of Government is as superior to the American as we think. In fact has not the world scene altered so sharply in the last few years that the British would be wise to set up a committee of enquiry into the whole question of Parliamentary Government under modern conditions?
Just for a moment let us con- ltration frost the
of tha American Prezident vis a vis the British Prime Minlater. A Low year ago in Washington I hat arranged to meot President Truman at the White House but As it happened he had made his annual "State of the Unicu" Speech on the previous evening
-London
Letter
by SIK BEVERLEY BAXTER, M.P.
an un-
with the result that the morning show Mucmillan to the crowds newspapers were calling for his as if he were a tame on in a blood. In the circumstances cage. If this seems he would almost certainly cancel iny appointment or at best,-give me five minutes of polite talk.
worthy thought let me assure you that the Prime Minister was warned that the Russian dictator might well be affronted it too much fuss was made about the visitor from Britain.
with intiatios for a propio who have been suckled on them. Then with quiel dignity be told of Britain's mighty heritage of justice and Parlia→ mentary freedom, ..
But sharp on time I was usher
cleverly prepared
He Was speaking from ed into his presence and he
script-and who wrote it? The author was greeted me with the smile of * man who had so little to do that In the Arst Moscow meetings, Herold Macmillan, publisher and he was quite
Who Invented lolo-"! glad to have there was a genuine fear that Premier. visitor. Yet he was within Khrushchev would confine the vision? "We did," said Muce! few weeks of
"We had television facing his last programme to top level con- milian. election.
versations and visits to industrial thirty years ago." plants In order to show that Russia was nit powerful in the weapons of peace as well as the weapons of war.
"Mr President," 1 said, "you: surprise me. I expected to find your desk littered with
press clippings and
that you would either have cancelled my op polniment or thrown me out after five minutes."
Again he smiled. “You must have been reading my preUS
notices. Are they very badzy, "They were Bavage."
answered.
Mr
I
Trumon chuckled. "E knew what the newspaper boys would be saying this morning:
could
Πανε
written
What was the setting in which the Prime Minister delivered his pregnant words? It was nothing more than a routine room in a Moscow radio station, with a background of the Union Jack and the Soviet flag and a plain desk. Not once did the Prime Minister show any sign fatigue although He had been under endless strain for hours without end.
of
very
There were rumours at the time that Macmillan was not particularly pleased with the programme that Khrushehey had prepared for him. Merely to be
But the night's work was not taken around Moscow like a V.I.P., to see and praise the all that he did in the 24-hour achievements of a Communist period. Previous to it he had regime was not at all what gone to a long diplomatic re- In fact if any of them stuck 1 Macmillan Intended. He had ception at the Kremlin where he their taken the risk of a calculated shock bands with hundreds of editorials for them." Then he affront, of a possible breakdown people and listened to a took my arm and led me to a
in such talks as had been long concert. Not only is it giobe of the world on a swivel, arranged and eventually are tough at the log but you've got treat from Moscow only lesa un- to be mighty sough to stay there.
Strangely enough there pleasant than that of Napoleon.
But being a man of sensitivity some voices in Britain who have cbdsen his moment to remind us and Imagination Macmillant that Nevlile Chamberlain went recognised that Khrushchev had to Munich and look what hap- to present himself to his ow2 pened then! But there is this people ຄ. the gracious, all difference. Chamberlain spoke powerful dictator who was for
Briain that was almost The following day lunching Minister should be allowed to speaks for
unarmed, wherene Macmillan with the editors of the New see the splendours of Communist armed for the battle of arms or a Britain that is Somehow, I found the co- pilot. "The lady with me is 11" York Times I predicted that achievement. On the other
Truman, then on the eve of the hand Macmillan was determined the battle of peace, election, would be the next not to play the role of an ardent President. The City Editor admirer envious of Soviet Laughed so hard that he actually success.
"You can't smoke!" I told her
a shocked voice." She looked at me despairing American couple make trucks y, her eyva wide with fear, for the door. But Angela
Frenzied weeping "Tuay. I can't face this! J looked unconvinced and gave a really and truly can't!" che little shiver. Is it safe?" she whispered,
Jumping from my seat, I usked.
I dragged her
from the awny "Don't
Tidiculous!" be laughed. "You can't possibly
door, pushing her into the lap change your mind now. It's too of an elderly, bearded French- Walt She repeated that question late." And as if to prove my man, get you off! more us once VIL the bus point, one of the engines roared there!" I yelled. drive out to Le Bourget, and by to life.
Vile weather
the time we arrived at the air- pert, she was obviously serrat-
Noor panic
ting having surrendered her 1 ft Angela clutching at my comfortable cerner seat un the arm. "It's no good. 1 must get ul-1 must!" "slie sold breath- lessly.
train,
1 confess that I dikit entire ly blame her for the weather wps vile that mornings with low grey ram clouds racing over fead driven by a biusto. wind that snatched at the plan and rocked it as we elford.ed aboard.
WAS
a
bands in
I
stammered. "She's
down before, and I'm she'll have hysteries don't let us off."
never afrald
if you
that
"General Elsenhower gave me that," he said. He pointed to Korea. "That's where our next trouble is coming from,"
fell of his chair. But that la
anxiour that Britain's Prime
part of the charm of Americans. Therefore it is not surprising Their emotions so frequently that the tension Brew more' As with rule their judgment.
My purpose in recalling that talk with Mr Truman is to con- frast the detachment of an
La
Chamberlain
art
there
4
vist
If he suspected that I was It's too late. We'll be off in exaggerating, one look at the a minute." I shouted, and the frenzied Angcia weeping on the
acute as the visit progressed, may come a time when, look- looked nervously over my Frenchman's shoulder, muzsi
Actually there was a moment Ing back over their shoulders, shoulder at the two rows of have been enough to convince
when it seemed that Macmillan people will say that "Macmillan paesingers behind me.
him that she was in no fill state
would cut short his visit and re- did another Munich. In my For come reason the second to make the fight.
turn to London. In fact he refused opinion such people will bu motor was proving refractory
American President as compared to play the performing bear nothing more than Idiots howl- Angela
But it was with an air of cold way with Harold Macmillan to which dances at and I could see one of the
the command ing at the moon, Junoesque creaturg with large ground staff gesticulating to the disapproval that he consented to day. At any time the Prime of his masters. › The Moscow fect and Blightly pregnen, lot, while the wind are at the open the door for us, and I Minister has to be ready to face newspaper began
resume The cold war of Communion. teeth; in fact, the Frenchman's while overnils of the meranie couldn't help but agree with the Grand Inquest of the nation their usual denigration of the V5. Freedom will not be thaw
be remarked the typical Eng. struggling lɔ swing the four him when conception vi
when for the first hour of each West, and there were threats by the Prime Minister's lishwoman.
bladed propeller.
Angels should not have elected day's Parliamentary
but Macmillan has demonstrated lling that Russia would not even dia- It was a Handley-Page biplane, Secretly cursing the delay, I to make her first flight in bad (except on Fridays) the Minis- cuss the future of East Ger- to the Russians that it in and we had the two front seats glanced surreptitiously at An- weather.
ters must meet the onslaught of many, Inevitably a lot of possible to have freedom and with a stub of em-
under a democratic either side of the narrow goła,
Question Times. I must say, I was furious with
people in Britain said that the discipline gangway immediately
behint harrassment saw she was clusp her when she announced at the
Prime Minister should never system of Government. The questions are printed have gone to Moscow. the pilot and his assistant. Ing her rosary and praying top of her voice that she had
why, When I had settled myself, I fervently, I don't know glanced across at Angela and but at the sight of her painted had a sudden premonition that
horrified
to see that her muttering lips i was gripped by the seroptane would never reach
Croydon. And when she face was deathly pale and her ase of near-pante. scarlet lips were trembling. I All at once the rocking, vibra- peated this statement in the bar looked hurriedly away and took ting plane seemed but a fly at Le Bourget I rounded on her, refuge behind my paper. contraption of wood and canvas telling her she was a fool.
011
พ.ร
A British Crossword Puzzle
16
13
31
16
18
20
121
22
23
24
26
27
78
1 PIL (0).
ACROSS
4 Flery particles (0).
6 Hang around (0),
10 Be repeated (0).
12 Mock (6).
14 See (7).
17 One of rayal race of Peru
· (4),
10 Chosen by vote (7),
20 Likten (7).
22 Towards shelter (4).
23 Slaves (7).
27 Stop (0).···
29 Dance (5).
30, Tur-(0).
~21 Foary (0)
12 Destroy (8),
DOWN
1. Substantial (5).
2 Fruit (5),
3 Vegetable (8).
Nymph (4).
Not long past (0).
7 Extend (0).
Caution (?).
11 Proclamations (8).
13 Set free (7).
15 Object of worship (4).
15 Axiles (0),
18 Prison room (4).
20 Hewed (0).
21 Indian com (6).
24 Scutter (0).
20 Glossy (5).
25 Spry (5).
29 Tear (4),
YESTERDAY'S CROSSWORD-Across: 3 Endorsed, 8 Idea,
9 Martered 11 Compoter. 13 Mein, to Compasod; 18 Narrated, 10 Arms, 21 Relevant, 25 Diffused, 20 Tour, 17 Dissents. Down: 1 Dise, Tenn, 4 Neat, & Cats, & Spree, 7 Dudes, 0 Melon, 10 Sewer, 13. Odour, 14 Sheen, 10 Bives, 17 Dried, 19 Alded, · 20 Muts, 21 Rude, 22 Left, 23 Agor, 21 Tory,
re-
Ghastly feeling
"Just imagine
how those must have other poor devils felt!" I said, as we watched the aeroplane take off.
"It'll never reach London, Tony. I know it," she insisted.
gihte when have you discona Д clairvoyant?" I asked wilheringly.
She admitted that she had no pretontians to beings paychi had a sudden, ghasily feeling that something was going to happen to the plane," she said, swallowing the stift brandy i had ordered for her.
We drove back to the Avenue de l'Opera, where 1 shame- facedly ipld the booking clerk what had happened. Then, icaying our luggage at the office, wo went to luncheon at Prunier's.
Our nerves and tempera soothed by a sole bonne femme and a bottle of wine we return- ed to the office to pick up our suitcases in time to catch the afternoon train for London,
Another clerk was on duty. "Excuse me, sir, but were you one of the passengers who left the, aeroplane for London this morning?" he inquired.
with
The problems Ahead fraught with danger and bittered with ignorance but the Prime Minister of Britain has pierved the Iron Curtain and lkt! a candle that spreads its rays in a darkening world,
QTI
em-
and numbered so that Mr Speaker calls "Mr Smith," who merely ways; "Number eighteen to the Prime Minis- ter," or whatever Minister 'le involved. Admittedly the
Then something happened to- Minister has been briefed and wards the end of the visit. It alves the answer from his was announced that the British At the beginning of this Lon- notes. But then the fwa Prime Minister would speak on
don Letter I posed the question begins.
television and radio 10 the us to whether there should be
The Russian people.
timo
a committee to decide whether alloited was ten minutes-but or act our Parliamentary system I imagine that the limitation of ought to be altered so as to time was set by Macmilian ham achieve a greater efficiency and
"Arising from. the
Primo
Minister's reply" says the M.. is it not a fact hat he is avoid mg the real issue and therefore relt. noy I nak bim if he will not now make clear....ete and so on.”
It is unrehearsed duel of wit
a higher degree of democracy.
Give, credļi where it is due.. Certainly Parliament should The Roman dictator provented come under constantiserating to in which, the Prime Minister has the British Prime Minister with ensure that it keeps its pro- to be on guard for every thrust the freedom of the air,
of his adversary.
+
cedure modern even though it
Not even Winston Churchill is based on the wisdom of the Tepular -and friegator of his greatest heights posscared intervals the Prime Minister a more sensitive understanding But let us be careful that we presides over the meetings or of his task than Harold Macs are not bemused by the shiny the cabinet. He has to discuss millan. Slowly, and without efficiency of the totalitarian taxation matters with the bombast. Macmillan spoke to state, Autocracy, at any given Chancellor of the Exchequer, he the Russian people who had noment, is more efficient than has to confer with the Foreign crowded everywhere to see and democracy. Yet in the end it is Secretary on the world crisis of to hear him, -
the moment, and he has to talk with the President of the Board of Trade about Anglo-Canadian trade dimculties. Then there
ure Gulidhall banquets and so on ad infinitum,
But the biggest strain of all is the new technique of foreigu affairs. Not very long ago, before the aeroplane abolished distance, the visit abroad of Prime Minister gave him the rest and enjoyment of a sea voyage, at the very jenst a Channel crossing. Now he is launched into space like a guide ed missile and has no tince to I relax or orientate his mind to
the situation involved,
"Yes," I told him. "Might I have your name, and the name of the lady?"
"Cortainly. But why?" queried.
our
hove to check pamtenger list. Unfortunately, the aeroplane crashed near Abbevlite, sir. There were survivors."
DO
Conalder for a moment the strain as well as the risk of Harold Macmillan's recent visit to Moscow. Supposing Khruch- chey had decided to ridicule him, not openly, but by making.
DID IT REALLY HAPPEN? him a completely secondary
YES NO
ANSWER ON PAGE 18
t={London: Expres. Service).
democracy that prevails because
it is bared on the freedom of the Briefly ko emplaalsed mind, the body, and the spirit. British achievements ла, science, medielne, and indus- try, punctuating the discourWO
That is the message that Macmillan. Look to Moscow.
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PAR
figure. The little dictator, sup- ported by a servilo preso, could cych havo absented himself at this or that, official, fungijon, while pleading the excuso of urgent affairs.
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