Amsterdam, Feb, 12.
The German press has not yet mentioned the impending visit of the U.S. Under-Secretary of State, Mr. Sumner Welles, who will hold talks on peace questions with neutral countries in Europe. The only mention of his visit has been a brief, colourless statement in the official news agency's foreign service.
The first reaction in official circles, as reported by neutral correspondents, was more favourable than might be expected, but this was quickly followed by a retreat into tight-lipped" reserve and it appeared as if the Nazis had been betrayed into welcoming a possible chance of peace more warmly than they had cared to Show.
Neutral observers in Berlin have the impression that the Nazis are anxious to avoid showing premature enthusiasm lest it should be interpreted as a sign of weakness, and judging from outward appearances, Mr. Sumner Welles is likely to have a very polite, but "by no means effusive reception in Germany.—Reuter, When the troops disembarked, they journeyed to a. newly-constructed township of camouflaged tents and wooden huts. With traditional hospitality, units of the British Army had sent large parties to prepare a camp for overseas contingents.
The site was converted within eight weeks from waste devoid of all habitation. The layout involved the construction of seven miles of roads, a complete sterilized water system, and four miles of drains.
The ' tent of Major-General C. B. Freyberg, commander-in-chief of the New Zealand force, was pitched in a small knoll in the centre of the township, with a commanding view of the whole.
Those present when the transports arrived included Sir Miles Lampson, British Ambassador to Egypt, and Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief of the British troops in the Middle East, "who told Reuter that to combat the fly menace, sixteen miles of muslin had been purchased for the protection of the food of the traps.
Strenuous active training will commence as soon as the men's feet have hardened after the long journey.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.