OUT OF WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21304, 24 December 1940, Page 6

OUT OF WAR

MOVEMENT IN AMERICA AID FOR BRITAIN “YANKS AREN’T COMING” (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 24, 3.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 23 Mr William Allen White announced that the Committee for the Defence of America, by aiding the Allies, opposes sending American convoys to Britain or repealing the Johnson or amending Neutrality Acts to permit American ships to carry contraband into the war zone. The statement, which was in response to an inquiry by Mr Roy Howard, is published copyrightly by the Scripps-Howard newspapers. Mr White said the organisation’s only motive was to keep the United States out of the war. If he was writing a motto it would be, “The Yanks aren't coming.” He added: “The repealing of the Johnson Act would be stupid and will not help Britain. There are half-a-dozen good legal ways to get aid to Britain. The carrying of contraband into the war zone would lead the United States into the war. “The Yanks are not coming because we could not equip, transport and feed them if they went. We have under 200,000 ready and need them worse on the assembly belt than in Europe. “America will go to war or stav | out not because it would make I Hitler mad but only when, as, or if j Hitler thinks he can win, while wc ! arm behind the British Fleet and England fights. Hitler will never think he can win unless he starts a war to slow down aid to Britain. Any organisation that is pro-war is playing Hitler’s game.” HIT BY BOMB THE HOUSE OF COMMONS DAMAGE TO CLOAKROOM FLIGHT OF STAIRS COLLAPSES (United Press Aan.—also. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 24, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 23 It is revealed that a bomb damaged the House of Commons. It had little effect on the public parts and the debating chamber was not touched. The worst damage was to the members’ cloakroom. The bomb’s effects were ateo noticeable in the cloisters and even in the crypt. A flight of stone stairs collapsed. MANCHESTER BOMBED DEATH AND DESTRUCTION MANY CASUALTIES REPORTED LONG AND SEVERE “BLITZ" (I'nlted Press Assn.—Bee. Tel. Copj-rlgnt) (Received Dec. 24, 3.15 pjp.) LONDON, Dec. 23 The morning found a pail of smoke hanging over Manchester after the longest and severest "blitz.” Fires last night cast a deep red glow over the city and were visible for miles. They are now under control. Explosives dealt death and destruction to persons and property. The casualties have not yet been estimated, but it is known that a number were killed in houses. Two shelters, one containing 500 people, were directly hit by high explosives, causing many casualties. The anti-aircraft batteries today drove two raiders seaward after they had bombed the East Anglian coast district without causing damage or casualties. 4000 Air Raids Sir Auckland Geddes, Civil Defence Commissioner in the southeastern region, in a Christmas message reveals that since Dunkirk the region has sustained 4000 air raids. Tens of thousands of bombs have been dropped, and many thousands of Kent and Sussex homes damaged and destroyed. AUSTRALIAN PREMIER MAY FLY TO LONDON CONFER ON WAR PROBLEMS RESULT OF BY-ELECTION (Palled Pres* Awn.—Elec. Tel. copyright) (Received Dec. 24, 3.15 p.m.) CANBERRA, Dec. 24 Mr Menzies, the Prime Minister, is expected to decide in the next few days whether to fly to London during the Parliamentary recess and confer with the British Government on war problems. His decision is likely to be influenced by the fact that a Government victory in the swan by-election seems assured, giving Mr Menzies a clear priority in the House of Representatives.