The Ypsilanti daily press., 1944-08-23
Observations
Procopes to Live
in Sweden Until
End of War
BY Helen sssarY

leave washington about two
months ago because his country
was an ally of Germany is not in
the least dismayed by her lonely
and somewhat difficult situation
here.
At luncheon the other day she
looked happy and healthy. She
said the newest Procope child who
will be christened carl Frederick
when he and his brother. sister,
and mother shall have Joined his
father abroad, is an adorable, cud-
dly baby
He is now six weeks old and, OF
course, does not know OF the great
talk here, there and everywhere that
his coming caused when his mother
was deciding whether or not 10 ac-
company his father into Finland 4
fortnight or so before Carl Fred
erick made his first appearance in
this international confused world.
Madame Procope and the three
babies-the oldest is not more than
four-will take the first ship out
for Sweden. The English wife Ot
the former Finnish minister to the
United States says that she and
the children would be on their way
across the ocean right now were
1t not for the fact that the ship
on which they must sail is momen-
tarily tied up in a Swedish port.
Sweden is only about two hours
by plane from Finland. Since 1t
has steadfastly remained neutral
Hjalmar Procope may easily visit
his family there. Madame Procope
will not go TO England where her
family is living in comparative Sc
curity but will remain in Sweden un-
til the war is over.
UNDOUBTEDLY THE ENGLISH
are beguiling Old Smoothies. Ger
tainly Viscount Halifax, his Britain
mic majesty's ambassador TO the
United States knows how to be
charmingly informal at a news con-
ference. And when a great man Is
charmingly informal at a news
conference, it's time for somebody
to strike out in behalf OF poor old
"Pro Bono Publico" You remem-
Der that half.forgotten little guy.
He used to write letters about the
terrible condition OF the street
lamps way back in the days before
the war.
At the British embassy when the
ambassador called a news confer
enee TO introduce Sir Alexander
Cadogen. Britain's permanent un-
dersecretary for foreign affairs, and
to report on his own trip to Eng
land, | arrived in the marble and
black mirrored embassy drawing
room a little behind schedule.
There sat the British ambassador
in white shirt sleeves and long ci-
garet holder with other suitable
garments, of course).
He was as nonchalant as Is Mr..
Roosevelt, when the President re-
ports on his own foreign goings on.
Only Lord Halifax had out-Roose-
velted Mr.. Roosevelt. He had
urged the gentlemen OF the press
and radio TO take of their coats.
And there the coats hung. whiting.
In the August humidity on the
back OF little gold drawing room
chairs.
Here Is a situation to be watch
cd" thought quickly. When the
British ambassador and the press
take off their coats and literally
roll up their sleeves together, some
thing is going TO happen"
Nothing in particular seemed 70
happen except reassurances OF
peace and good will. You'd never
have been able TO tell from Lord
Halifax's manner or that of Sir
Alexander Cadogen pronounced
Kay-due.g gin) that either gentleman
had ever heard OF the Lend-Lease
agitation. II was Paul Wooten who
asked the 64-dollar question.
"Mr. Ambassador, is II true that
Britain wishes an extension OF the
Lend-Lease?"
There was a breathless pause II
the general atmosphere. But
pause OF fraction OF fraction oi
a second: Il rather believe" said
Lord Malifax, Il rather fancy that
some people are thinking faster or
the subject OF LendLease than We
ourselves are thinking"
Several more 64.dollar questions
on the same ticklish theme were
asked. But the ambassador lost
not a single dash OF composure.
He even tossed OF little joke
here and there in the best White
House manner.
II was evident. certainly 10 an
American with nationalistic turn
of mind. that the British. having
heard the rough reverberations Of
their recent trial shot, limiting that
we must supply them further with
Lend-Lease, have decided TO pipe
down, as one would say in Scot
land. until the mood OF the United
States has become more receptive.