Evening star., 1941-01-28

Italian prisoners trudge down
way of assistance from the United
States, he said there is no doubt
we can make good use of all the help
you are disposed to give uS-Ships,
aircraft and equipment of different
kinds"
Then. obviously implying that the
most acute need is in the shipping
field he remarked
The thing on which Hitler doubt
less is principally banking to win
the war is his submarine campaign. "
Asked if he meant naval or mer-
chant vessels were needed from this
country, he said L was talking about
merchant ships
In response to an inquiry about
whether the 200-ship building pro-
gram recently launched by Presi-
dent Roosevelt was designed to aid
England, Lord Halifax said, II don t
know the mechanics of it. but l have
no doubt that the President has in
mind the shipping situation in the
United Kingdom"
Evades Man Power Angle.
The Ambassador told his cues
TONERS that he would rather not
go into" what Prime Minister
Churchill had in mind when ne said
recently that Great Britain would
not need man power from this
country in 1941"
Il think he said. however. that
Mr.. Churchill was speaking nat
urally Of what was period of time
we can foresee. No inferences
should be drawn beyond what he
said, He chose his words care
fully
When asked his Judgment of the
Importance in the overall war pic
ture of British successes in North
Africa. he said:
i always have thought. of course,
that the decisive theater is what
happens to the British Isles. But
it is impossible to overestimate the
Improvement of the strategic situa.
tion IN the Near East as a result of
the liquidation of the Italian Army
In Africa, relieving us of strain in
Egypt and on the Suez Canal.
All of this has profound effect
on morale in the Balkans. Turkey
and great repercussions for good on
the Greeks"
Seek Military Objectlves.
British flyers have concentrated
their bombing attacks on military
objectives because those tactics were
considered most valuable from a
strictly military point of view. Lord
Halifax explained when asked why
the British have not attempted to
bomb the center of Berlin.
We have thought it better from
military point of view to con-
centrate our bombing on industrial
and military targets he said. 1T
is a long way to Berlin and We want
to do the most damage possible. We
do not think, as the Germans do,
that 1t is a first objective to 20
bombing women. children, hospitals
and churches indiscriminately."
He told QueStioners that he could
not say Il expect or don't expect"
the Nazis to resort to the use of
poison gas. Hitler certainly would
have no moral scruples about it. he
said. land if he doesn't do it. it will
be for other reasons"
Asked if he thought German
troops would occupy Italy if there
should be revolution against Mus
solini there, he remarked that he
believed such a situation would put
Hitler in as much of dilemma as
the question did him. 1T would be
difficult for him to leave it alone. 4"
Lord Halifax explained, land it
would be difficult for him to try to
control 40,000,OOO more people"
He added that he was certain the
Italian people did not want the war
and still do not. but said he had no
exact information on reports of
growing manifestations of discon-
tent ir Italy.
Asks for Understanding.
The Ambassador opened his press
conference by emphasizing the
great responsibility" which revolves
on newspapers as well as Govern
ment officials and the Importance
"Of doing our best to understand
each other in these days"
Il always will do my best to give
you all the help I rightly can and
am sure you will do your best to
interpret fairly what have to say"
he added.
Then he remarked on "the great
change" felt by one coming from
England 10 "a country where you
are allowed to show lights at night. 4"
he said all the lights, of the automo-
biles and on the roadside, gave him
'"uncanny feeling as he motored
to Washington from Annapolis with
President Roosevelt Friday night.
L frequently was tempted to inter-
rupt the President and ask what was
the matter with the police he said.
1T also was marked change to
sleep in house." he continued
which was not being shaken by
bombs"
Praises His COuntrymen.
Declaring that the behavior of the
people of England under bombing
attacks was beyond any praise 1
can give" the Ambassador cited two
instances to demonstrate the spirit
of his countrymen.
THE other night" he said, "the
Germans made a heavy attack on
Sheffield. Yorkshire industrial
town. A great number were rem
dered homeless. But they would not
leave ths town to get shelter else