End-of-war hint stirs England
Churchill cancels proposed trip to U.S.
LONDON (UP) – Britain was torn today between mourning the death of President Roosevelt and a mounting tension led by persistent and thinly-veiled hints in the press that the formal end of the war in Europe might come at any time.
Prime Minister Churchill was described as persuaded by the possible imminence of great events to cancel the preparation of a plane and specially picked crew to take him to the United States for Mr. Roosevelt’s funeral.
Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden was commissioned instead to represent the British government.
Wilson Broadbent, The Daily Mail’s diplomatic correspondent, said the news of Mr. Roosevelt’s death apparently was one of the greatest shocks Mr. Churchill ever suffered. The secretary who broke the news withdrew for five minutes. When he returned, he found Mr. Churchill’s eyes wet, a half-smoked cigar cast aside, and dispatches scattered open before him.
Mr. Roosevelt’s death was recorded in the court circular last night. For the first time it referred to the death of the head of a foreign state not related to the British Royal Family. It said:
“The King has received with profound regret the news of the death of Mr. Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America. His Majesty mourns the loss of a staunch ally and a great personal friend.”
Memorial services for Mr. Roosevelt will be held Tuesday at St. Paul’s Cathedral.