New York, May 8.
Mr. Wendell L. Willkie, Republican leader, yesterday demanded less talk and more action in getting aid to Britain.
"We love peace and would like to close our eyes and rid ourselves of the nightmare of this useless, wasteful struggle all around us," Mr. Wilkie declared.
"Men shout for peace where there is no peace. The struggle already is upon us, We can not shut our eyes to it. The only remaining free people of Europe are being battered and destroyed.
"The truth is that if we see to it that ever increasing production from American factories and farms is safely delivered to England, England will not only survive, she will win.
"I am not interested in mere words and technical phrases. Whether you call safe delivery of goods convoying, patrolling, aeroplane accompaniment or what, we want those cargoes protected and at once, with less talk and more action."—United Press.
Senate Expunges Speeches Axis Unable to Control Harbour; Australian General's Handling of Defence Inspiring Cairo, May 8. HE high spirit and determination of the Tobruk gar ison was described to me today by a British officer who has just made a five-day visit to the town, ys Reuter's Special Correspondent.
The garrison, composed mostly of Australians, with same British and Indian units, 3 defending a besieged area about the size of the Isle of Wight (147 sq. miles).
Although German air patrols are closely watching the harbour entrance, extending their reconnaissance far out to sea, we fully command the harbour.
The Germans are doing their utmost to prevent our use of the harbour by e-bombing and mine-laying, but have done little more than to make passages in and out of the port somewhat anxious, The Germans attack everything indiscriminately. Indian troops' are taking a zealous part in strengthening the defences, while Libyans still in the 4 ug labour service, Results of the enemy's dive-bombing and machine-gunning activity have in no way justified his efforts, The Germans bring up artillery in the night, and also use mortars, but their gunners seem less well trained than the British, Life in the town proceeds There is no shortage of water food. The troops are cheerful and confident, and include such men as an Australian sapper, who escaped through enemy lines,' walked 300 miles in 16 days across the desert from Benghazi to Tobruk, and was admitted into hospital with torn feet, He has now made a complete recovery.
German bombers one day attacked a British vessel which wes moving 200 to 300 German and Italian prisoners, who almost hysterically waved white handkerchiefs to warn the raiders of their identity, but they were attacked nevertheless and narrowly escaped being hit.
The Australian General commanding this gallant garrison retired to Tobruk during the withdrawal from western Libya, His handling of the defence is proving an inspiration to the whole garrison, He is making the best of Kalian defence works, which are practically intact, The point where the Germans made & penetration in the outer perimeter has been well stopped, All evidence shows that enemy casualties have been very heavy, and losses among senior German officers in recent operations have been particularly severe.
German prisoners are well behaved, but they keep aloof from Italians, for whom they do not disguise their contempt, They hate the African heat, which wears down their spirits despite the rigorous preparation to which they were subjected when Germany envisaged' intervention in North Africa long before Italian he debacle.
The "German African Corps" have as their sign the Swastika with a palm tree, and also their own new paper, the "Oasis,"—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.