The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-13

which have Jagged far behind ex- pectations.
 The post is potentially second in importance only to that of Prime Minister. Lord Lothian's death came when many Britons were be- ginning to believe that only a tre- mendouS increase in American aid could dispel the threat of German sea and air attacks and turn the present stale mate into an eventual victory.
 Lord Lothian had returned to Washington only a few weeks ago to obtain more pianes, more ships and credits for ships, planes and war materials.
 Choosing Successor
 In choosing his successor, Church. i'll has to pick a man who can quickly master the delicate prob- lens which faced Lord Lothian and speedily win the confidence of Amer jeans from President Roosevelt down.
 Lord Lothian took back to Wash ington briefs on subjects of all sorts from that of financial aid to the Far Eastern situation.
 Under pressure by Field Marshal Hermann Goering the German air plane industry is reported to be making a tremendous increase in production this winter. In forma- tion obtained from the Intelligence Service of a neutral power is that German production is now $500 planes a month, including a power full new flghter-Domber plane with two cannon and six machine guns.
 Experts of other neutral powers believe that the $500 estimate may be too high, but they believe also that German output remains higher than British output.
 The gap would have to be made up by American deliveries but it is no secret that American deliveries have been disappointing.
 Shipping Problem Acute
 The shipping problem likewise was acute. During one recent week, British shipping was sunk at a rate which if continued would mean the loss of 4,500,000 tons 8 year.
 Finally there was the problem of obtaining credit to finance war pur- chases.
 Diplomatic quarters suggested as possible successors to Lord Lo- thian, Anthony Eden, war secre- tary; David Lloyd George, Sir Percy Lorraine, former ambassador at Rome; Lord Chatfield, former de- fense coordination minister; Wis., count Cranborne, dominions secre- tary; Sir Robert Vansittart, chief diplomatic adviser to the foreign office; Richard G. Casey, Australian minister at Washington and even Viscount Halifax, foreign secretary and member of the inner war cab inet.
 Serious Blow To Britain
 Washington, Dec. 13 - CUP) - Lord Lothian's sudden death was considered today to have been serious blow to British negotiations for more American aid.
 The British ambassador died a few hours after a public appeal for more aid had been read in his name while government officials discussed whether to extend loans or other financial assistance and to permit Britain to obtain more American ships.
 Although special missions have been working on details of "Short- of-war" aid from this country, it was Lord Lothian who arranged for them and negotiated directly with President Roosevelt on such import ant questions as more airplanes, the destroyer -for-bases trade, and cur rent efforts to obtain more ships.
 Pxssidant Roosevelt and ether high administration officials voiced their desire to accord both official and personal honor to Lord Lothian whom they praised as a British pa- triot and a friend of the United States.
 Final funeral arrangements awaited word from his three sisters in Great Britain and the British government. It was considered likely that if they wished, his body would be returned to Britain by an Amer ican warship.
 Plane May Be Hearse
 British sources said there was a possibility that an airplane, either American or British, would be used to take the body. It was suggested that the body might be placed in vault here and sent home later.
 Officials were reluctant to discuss Lothian'S successor so soon after his death, but they made no secret of their interest. Among those men, toned were Anthony Eden, British war minister; Alfred Duff Cooper, minister of information; Lord Beav- erbrook, newspaper publisher and minister for aviation production, Sir Robert Van Sittart, permanent un- dersecretary for foreign affairs, and Harold. Nicolson, British author and former member of the diplomatic service. Also suggested was the Duke of Windsor, former King of England an dnoW governor the Ba- hamas, who is in Miami where the Duchess is receiving dental treat ment.
 Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr., said negotiations with the British financial mission would continue without Interruption but officials admitted that Britain would be hard put to find success Sor who could Sten into I,othian'S