Referring to Mussolini's statement that he obtained the Fuehrer's permission for direct participation in the Battle of Britain, Lord Halifax commented: "The British Government must draw the clear conclusion that Italy's participation in the indiscrimmate bombing of women and children in this country is entirely wanton and gratuitous, and they will take due note of it."
The Foreign Secretary said the British were still awaiting an Italian assault from Libya. The British armies in Egypt had been reinforced with men and material, "We can be satisfied," Lord Halifax asserted, "that every position of im-Portance in Egypt and the Sudan is now held with largely increased force and strength. This fact has Kad its effect in a greater feeling of confidence in Egypt and throughout the Near East."
Increasing help for Britain from the United States was also stressed by Lord Halifax, who stated: "Munitions are coming over in a steadily increasing stream, and the President has recently announced that we are io receive approximately 50 per cent of arms and munitions manufactured by American indüstry."—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.