MR WILLKIE

Grey River Argus, 7 February 1941, Page 7

MR WILLKIE

Claims German Descent LONDON, February 5. Before leaving England, Mr Wendell Willkie issued the following statement for transmission to Germany: “I am of purely German descent. My family name is Willicke. My grandparents left Germany 90 years ago, because they protested against autocracy, and demanded the right to live as free men. 1, too, claim that right. I am proud of my German blood, but I hate aggression and tryanny. Tell the German people that my convictions are fully shared by an overwhelming majority of Americans of German descent. They, too, believe in freedom and human rights. We German-Ameri-cans reject and hate the aggression and lust for power of the present German Government.” Mr Willkie told the Associated Press correspondent who accompanied him on his tour that he was positive no Government effort was made to show him only approved places. He said that when he saw women demonstrating against the system of food rationing, he knew who these people were, and he did not believe they represented Britain. The correspondent states that Mr Willkie will tell Americ a that Britain will win, with American aid. It is believed that he is of the opinion that Britain is a good financial risk, with certain restrictions.