The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-11-29
rM61d!!aqha,
Washington, d. @.
MUSSOLINI NEEDS VICTORY
IN GREECE

pushes OH 10 Suez. PROBABLY the
most important is the wars effect
upon the Italian people-especially
In case Of setback or defeat.
For long time, u. S. intelligence
reports have indicated that italy
was the Achilles heel Of the Axis and
that the Italian people were none
too enthusiastic about their partner
ship with Germany. Basically, the
Italians always have sided more
with Britain than with Germany.
For years they had distrusted Ger
many. and for an equal number of
years had done business with Great
Britain.
Furthermore, the war has put a
severe economic pinch on the Ital-
ian people. In return they have had
no great victories and conquered no
important territory. Hitler has been
able to show new conquests to
arouse the enthusiasm of the Ger
man people, but Mussolini has had
nothing to show except Albania and
British Somaliland
Even the much-heralded advance
OF Marshal GRAHAM in Egypt now
has begged down on the sands of
Sahara. So Mussolini needs a Greek
victory and needs it badly. And if
he doesn't get it, observers in Italy
believe that dissatisfaction among
the Italian people might become so
great as to lead to a new dictator
in Rome.
Note-Because of her vastly su-
nj
army, the odds are very much in
favor of an Italian victory. Outcome
Of the war, however, depends on
how much aid Greece can get from
Britain, which cannot risk taking too
many troops away from its Egyptian
defenses; also whether Jugoslavia
and Turkey come in.
HULL'S WORRIES
Deep absorption in the Greco-Ital-
Ian war caused Secretary Cordell
Hull to muff his lines in delivering
his speech on foreign affairs for the
newsreels.
Hull was supposed to speak three
takes" with a pause between the
second and third. Instead he
stepped after the first and began
staring into space.
Recalled to the business at hand
by the cameraman, he snapped his
finger and exclaimed, "Sorry, /
guess I've ruined everything for you
boys. Would you mind starting over
again?"
mot at all, Mr.. Secretary"
grinned Tony Muto. Fox Movietone
lens-shark. "But you sure had some
thing on your mind"
"It's that situation in Greece" ex-
planned Hull. 1--WE been so con-
cerned with it ali day that I forgot
for q moment that you boys were
taking my picture. promise to do
better next time"
MAIL BAG
S.G.C., New Albany, Ind.-Roose-
velt's speeches during the last part
OF the recent campaign were written
by Judge Rosenman of New York,
Irving Brant, and Robert Sher-
wood, famous playwright However,
Roosevelt's speeches, after being
written in rough draft by others,
are rewritten by himself. The Phil
adelphia speech was largely his own.
E.P., Springfield, Mass. - Secre-
tary Of State Hull did not attack
John l.. Lewis in his speech before
the Press club, though it is true that
q criticism of Lewis was contained
IN the original draft of the speech.
When Frank Waltman, COP. pub
hcity chief, protested Mr.. Hulrs
right to address the Press club, the
secretary of state removed all polit-
ical references from his text and
merely discussed foreign affairs.
MERRY-GO-ROUND
The plan still is in the discussion
stage, but top-rung New Deal econ
omists are seriously proposing that
the WPA be abolished and replaced
with a large-scale public works pro-
gram for national defense.
The army is preparing for any
eventually no matter where it hap
pens. II has quietly purchased over
100000 yards of mosquito netting.
Areas chiefly plagued by mosquitoes
are Alaska, Newfoundland, Green
land and Latin America.
Senator Charles McNary is one of
the nattiest dressers in congress,
also the best bean baker. The Ore
gonian loves to bake beans over an
open fire, using bacon, molasses.
sherry and IL hours of simmering
Outgoing Vice President Jack
Garner is the only man in history
to have his picture hung at both
ends Of the Capitol An oil painting
Of the former speaker hangs in the
house lobby, and another portrait.
by Howard Chandler Christie. has
just been put up in the senate lobby.
Friends are kidding Henry Wal
lace about being disqualified for the
| Job of vice president because, unlike
Jack Garner, he does not strike
blow for liberty" After eight years
in Washington. Wallace does not