Return of the Eagle

Cordell Hull, 72, had stood his first plane trip well, playing gin rummy on the long hops, even sitting in the co-pilot's seat while the plane made a landing, intent on watching the earth rush up.

Returning to Washington after 26,000 miles to & from Moscow, he stepped out of the Douglas Skymaster to hear cheers such as he has never had in his ten years as Secretary of State. As pale and reserved as ever, apparently unmoved, he walked straight to the big, black Presidential limousine. Said he: "This is an un anticipated honor, Mr. President." Said Franklin Roosevelt: 'We'll give you the keys to the city." More & more nosegays fell at the feet of old Mr. Hull. Winston Churchill termed him a gallant eagle; Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden called him the father of the Moscow Declarations' security clause. The left-wing U.S. press, which had clubbed him over the head for months, stammered apologies.

Back at work this week, Cordell Hull held a press conference notable for its length (one hour), the size of the audience (70 newsmen), the amount of news.

Some significant Hull post-Moscow conclusions :

> The "Italian formula" will be followed in liberation of conquered countries.

> All Balkan and Baltic states will be given a free choice in the selection of their postwar governments.

> The postwar status of Germany was not decided at the Moscow Conference. But the influence of the Soviet Free Germany Committee was wiped out when Russia signed the four-power declarations.

> French participation in the new three-power European Advisory Commission, in London, has been referred to the Commission.

> Postwar economic collaboration was fully discussed at Moscow. Russia will soon send a monetary expert to the U.S. to discuss stabilization and exchange.

> The Moscow Declarations did not violate Atlantic Charter principles, U.S. Catholic criticism notwithstanding.

Cordell Hull then went to work on a full-dress resume of the Moscow Conference, to be made in a precedent-breaking speech to Congress.

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