Washington, Feb. 11. Assurances that the Welles mission is in no way directed against the interests of the Allies were given an envoy of one of the Allied nations by a high White House official yesterday, it was learned today, Mr, Sumner Welles is undertaking his tour of the main European capitals chiefly to sound out Berlin on its true policy and intentions, observers said, commenting on the voyage.
The Allied capitals have made their position clear already and whatever information Mr. Welles may obtain in London and Paris is not expected to show any change in that adopted position, With Berlin it is a different matter, and these observers even went so far as to say that Berlin recently sent secret messengers to President Roosevelt, suggesting that he take an initiative' toward mediation. The President, however, has not been influenced by these Suggestions and it is the primary object of Mr. Welles' visit to find out the exact state of affairs in Germany and see what prompted the despatch of the messengers, The press and political quarters generally took a more realist view of the Welles mission today. They said it does not appear to be an attempt to bring immediate peace to Europe for recent events in the belligerent countries have shown the Allies and Germans to be as opposed on principle as ever, Conversations with neutrals aim simply at sounding out the European neutral nations to pave the way for a post-war establishment of economy on a strong foundation,—Havas.
In reply to His Majesty's greetings extended by Mr. Eden aboard the first transport, General Freyberg uttered the traditional Maori ery "Haeramai!"
He asked Mr. Eden to take back, on behalf of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, their keenest appreciation of His Majesty's message. and to confirm their great loyalty and devotion. He expressed the New Zealand Government's thanks to the Royal Navy "for the great care taken in protecting the New Zealand and Australian forces."
In an address to the New Zealanders, Mr. Eden declared: "The issue is clear and simple. The German Government seek to dominate the world by brute force. Were they to succeed, there could be no security for freedom-loving nations anywhere on the earth's surface. "Everything that has come dowm, to us in the heritage of a free people is staked on this struggle. Whichever ocean laps our shores the struggle is the same for each of us. The Nazi system is based on brute for: It is a denial of civilization. Thei will be no free life for the peoples of the world until that system is destroyed. "Nations of the British Commonwealth are now closely knit in one common endeavour. In thei unity lies certainty of final victory,"
In an announcerzent, the War Office says the Second Australian Imperial Force, under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Blarney, has reached the Suez with New Zealanders. The term "Second Australian Imperial Force" is used to distinguish the present force from that which fought in the last war.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.