Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-01-27

speculation in neutral quarters as tx
whether he might plead Britain
case for the important ports Of
Tough Swilly and Cobb for anti.
submarine warfare
To the question DO you think the
United States will come into the
ware" Mr.. Willkie replied Il car
not speak on that. l have no con.
nection with the Government in any
way"
In London or Days.
He said he would remain in Lon.
don for the next three or four days
then begin tour of the provinces
He also said he hoped to visit naval
military and air units.
Commenting on the letter fol
Mr.. Churchill. he chuckled:
Il think everybody in the United
States gave me letter to some
body"
He compared walking into q
blackOut with walking in a GENE
terry"
On his way to the Ministry of In
formation for the press conference
at which British newsmen received
him with four rounds of cheers and
two "hears-hears," he stopped for
a chat with a London bobbie on a
corner near his hotel and with a
stray soldier who happened along
OF Englshmen he has met thus
far, he said: Il like their nerve. !
haven't met anybody so far who is
doWnhearted."
OF his own purpose he commented
on arrival in England that he was
geared to see with his own eyes and
ito listen to everybody from the
prime minister to the coal HEAVIER
but not to talk.
Il came here to listen, not to
make speeches." he said.
So buoyant were Mr.. Willkie S
spirits on the flight from Lisbon
Portugal. yesterday, that he paced
up and down in the plane and even
helped the navigators chart their
course.
He was so eager to see England
that he incautiously stood up while
the plane was landing at a western
port and promptly took a nose dive
in the aisle. Unhurt, he picked him.
self up vigorously, brushed of his
Suit-the same one he was wearing
when he left New York by Clipper
plane last Wednesday-and bounced
out to be received.
Il am very glad to be in England,
for whose cause I have the utmost
sympathy" he asserted, and for
whom I am attempting to do all I
can to unite the United States and
to give England all the aid that is
possible in its struggle for free men
all over the world
Twenty minutes later he took an
other plane for London. eager to see
bombed towns and all the rest
Never felt better In my life he
grinned. I'm not worried about
anything
Accompanied by Two.
Before boarding the plane for
London he cautioned:
Il am just Wendell Willkie-plain
Mister Willkie, please I have no
official position here at all.
Making his first visit to London
in more than six years, Mr.. Willkie
was accompanied by two friends
John CoWles. editor of the Mime
apolis Star Journal, and Langdon
Thorne. retired New York invest
ment broker.
At his morning press conference
Mr.. Willkie said he wanted to find
out "all I can about English methods
of production so that I can make
up my mind as to how far they
can be co-ordinated with American
production"
He said he was dining tonight
with Lord and Lady Stamp. Baron
Stamp is head of the great London
Midland and Scottish Railroad and
an economic adviser to the govern
ment.
Queries Chambermaid.
The chambermaid who brought
him early morning tea" at 8 am
was Mr.. Wilkes first witness" oil
the day in his plan to get all the
information he can about Britain.
"How's the war going2" he asked
carefully stirring his sugar ration ir
his cup.
"Of course we're going to win,
the girl answered. But I think
we'd like little more help from
America. Will you tell them tt
send it quickly, please?"
Over breakfast of grapefruit. ba'
con, eggs and coffee half houl
later, Mr. Willkie shot the sam,
question at the waiter. He got vir'