FLYING VISIT TO EIRE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 113, 6 February 1941, Page 7

FLYING VISIT TO EIRE

Willkie Sees De Valera BRITISH PEOPLE AND LEADER PRAISED

LONDON, February 4.

Mr. Wendell Willkie was this afternoon received by the King at Buckingham Palace. Only a short time before going to the Palace Mr. Willkie had returned from Eire. He said that Mr. de Valera and he had had a friendly talk. “1 got the information 1 wanted to get,” said Air. Willkie.

Mr. Frank Aiken. Eire Minister for the Co-ordination of Defensive Measures, and Mr. David Gray, United States Minister in Dublin, were among those present at Dublin airport to meet Mr. Willkie on his arrival this morning. The visitor was the guest of Mr. do Valera at luncheon, and left early in the afternoon by air for England. Back in London, Mr. Willkie, in the interview, said: “One thing very definitely I can say, and that is that anyone who is under the impression that tile people of this country are not united is under a very complete delusion. I have met hundreds of people of all kinds and opinions, and without question the British are a great people.

“The British people are also most fmiuuate in their leadership at the I ••.■sent time. I doubt whether in Jusl<iry any man more ideally suited for the task has been called upon to carry through than the Prime Minister of England."