HOT DENIAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22141, 9 December 1941, Page 6

HOT DENIAL

Reported Statement By Julian Huxley

NEW YORK, December 6. The journal “American Front Page” splashes an interview with Julian Huxley, the author and biologist, who arrived from England for a lecture tour, and said:—“Mr Julian Huxley made his bow to the American people with this utterance: ‘Personally I hope Japan will not back down, then you will be forced to go to war with her next week. Then you can get this blasted business of arguing with yourselves finished. In just one day here I am dumbfounded at America’s Ignorance and complacency. These non-interventionists and the influence they exert has dumbfounded me.’ ’’

Mr Huxley, Interviewed, denied the journal's statements which he characterised as shameful distortions and inaccuracies. He is issuing a formal repudiation through the Official British Press Service.

Mr Huxley was obviously upset. He denied that he had said that he was dum'-founded by America’s ignorance. “What I said was that there appeared too much ignorance regarding social changes in Britain. Concerning Japan, I said that if the United States was involved in war with Japan I thought it would result in the unification of morale and stimulate production. I never said I hoped there would be war."

It is notable that other reports of Mr Huxley’s interview with a group of newspapermen are entirely innocuous.