The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-23
ductica of munitions to be leased or loaned to Great Britain.
 Britain Needs Ships

ductica of munitions to be leased or loaned to Great Britain.
 Britain Needs Ships
 It appears that British need for merchant shipping to 1eep the At lantic life line open is even more urgent than her need for airplanesi and other munitions. If Prime Minister Winston s. Churchill has decided to press for laid up Italian and German ships, he is placing i'll Washington to conduct his country's negotiations stand-out individual. He is known as a man of Munich and a pre-war appeaser notable in that period for his support Of the deposed Prime Minister, the late Neville Chamberlain.
 Any suspicion that his assign ment here was influenced by his background as a pre-war appeaSer must be tested with the fact that he was succeeded as foreign min ister in London by Anthony Eden who bolted the Chamberlain cab met in protest against appeasement long before the word had interna- tional currency. Appointment of Halifax seems. rather, to mean that his majesty's government feels that the ambassador here IS con- fronted by tremendous responsibil- ities requiring an individual of ex- traordinary ability and prestige. Reaction Favorable First reaction here to Halifax's appointment seemed to be favor able. His welcome by President Roosevelt had been assured, of course, by the usual exchanges prior to the announcement that he was coming to Washington. Early selection of United States Ambas- sador to succeed Joseph P. Kennedy in London is expected now.
 It is recognized here that Hail. fax's departure from London figures in cabinet shake-up as well as in replacement of the late Lord Lo- thian in Washington. But .selec- tion of the British foreign minister as ambassador to the United States may prove to have been an empha- tic acknowledgement of the absolute importance attached by London te expand American aid.
 15O Ships Tied Up
 Washington, Dec. 23 - (U.P0 = There are about 150 ships of for. eign registry, not including British ships, tied up in United State: ports, available statistics indicated today. o
 Among these are 37 Danish ships 27 Italian and two German. They average about 5000 tons each. 1 In addition there are an esti. mated 56 Italian ships, 40 German ships and 50 ships of neutral ma tions tied up in Latin American ports.
 I France Stands AIOof
 Vichy, Dec. B = (UPo = Of1. cially inspired comment in th' French press today emphasized tha Frances major task is the projec' ton of her empire and that sh, stands aloof from the test O strength between the Axis ane Great Britain, backed by J. s. re sources.
 Notes for guidance Of the French press issued by the propagands ministry were devoted entirely tt American aid to Britain and tn, American position in relation to tn. war. An editorial in Le Temps saic that France could not take side bu that she follows developments witt understanding and interest.
 In this conection it was again de nied that new demands had beer made of France by Germany, tha there had been a German ultima tum, or threat to denounce thu French ar1nistice and reestablish ; state of war or any request or t. allow German troops to eros plan to let their help out severa hours early tomorrow afternoon, giv | inp them time for laSt-minute prep