GERMAN DESCENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24526, 7 February 1941, Page 7

GERMAN DESCENT

MR WILLKIE'S ADMISSIOiN HATES THE NAZI REGIME . BELIEF IN HUMAN RIGHTS (United Press Association; (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON..Feb. 5. Before leaving England Mr Wendell Willkie issued a statement for transmission .to Germany: "I am of purely German descent, the family name being Willicke. My grandparents left Germany 90 years ago because they protested against an autocracy and demanded the right to live as free men. I. too. claim that right. "I am proud of my German blood, but hate aggression and tyranny. 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 Ger-man-Americans reject and hate the aggression and lust for power of the present German Government." Mr Willkie told the press correspondent who accompanied him on his tour that he was positive that no Government effort had been 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, end did not believe they represented Britain The correspondent states that Mr Willkie will tell America that Britain will win with American aid. It is believed that he is of opinion that Britain is a good financial risk, with certain restrictions. MR HOPKINS'S TOUR KNOWLEDGE OF INNER WORKINGS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Feb. *5. Within the next few days Mr Harry Hopkins will leave England for the United States. He has been here for a month, and will take back with him more knowledge of the inner workings and policy of the British Government and a more accurate estimate of the scope of the British'war effort than any other visitor has achieved; When Mr Hopkins reports to President Roosevelt there will be few secrets of the War Cabinet he will not be able to repeat, having since January 9 attended conferences in Downing street from which all but a few of the services chiefs were always excluded. The News Chronicle says Mr Willkie will take: home with him a wider and perhaps more detailed picture of the external situation—the face of Britain —but Mr Hopkins will know far more about the internal situation—the heart of Britain. ...