Angry Secretary

For the first time, U.S. citizens could see last week in true perspective how deadly serious their political-moral problem in North Africa had become. Through a suddenly relaxed censorship came the first clear picture of how completely the men of Vichy dominated North Africa, of how the American flag flew near concentration camps. To a nation still shuddering at the appointment of onetime collaborator Marcel Peyrouton as Governor General of Algeria (TIME, Feb. 1), the facts came as a final shocker.

But to the cry for explanations, State Secretary Cordell Hull chose to give no specific answers. When the criticism persisted, he finally burst into flaming Tennessee wrath.

Twice last week he turned his full anger on journalistic critics. At one press conference he accused Columnist Walter Lippmann (without using Lippmann's name) of vicious, venomous vituperation. Next day, he gave the New York PM's Correspondent I. F. Stone a bitter, face-to-face calling down.

But if this exchange of personalities satisfied the Secretary's anger, it did not satisfy everyone. Editorialized the New York Herald Tribune (which syndicates Lippmann's column):

"Mr. Hull is universally respected as an estimable gentleman of the highest purposes, but the impression--under which he seems to labor--that either he or the State Department has been appointed constitutional maiden aunt to the American people is erroneous.

"The Secretary appeared to enjoy himself as he scolded those who have dared to question the perfect wisdom responsible for the present mess in North Africa. Again he advised the American people that when they have grown up and have learned the facts of life they will understand that Aunty knew best all along. . . .

"What, one is impelled to demand, goes on here? Ours is an adult people, and as such it has a right to know whether its affairs are being conducted by intelligent statescraft or the hopes of an old ladies' sewing circle."

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