VILLARD SAYS GERMANS ARE CONFIDENT THEY WILL SMASH ENGLAND BY JULY 15
Fleming, Robert H.
Villard Says Germans Are Confident They Will Smash En gland hy July 15 Former Editor of Nation Gives Views During Visit Here Veteran Liberal Bases His Statement On Recent Visit in Europe BY...
...I am afraid the time is rapidly approaching when Germany will attack England itself, and I think invasion of Sweden is inevitable...
...The veteran liberal editor named Sen...
...Discounts FR's Fears He discounted , Pres...
...Burton K. Wheeler, Montana Democrat, as his choice for president and recalled his participation in the 1924 campaign of the late "Old Bob" LaFollette and Wheeler...
...He said the Italians hate the Germans, but that Muffiolini will join the side which will give him the greatest benefits...
...I do not say I am for Wilkie for president, but I do say some of his abilities are very much in his favor...
...They might as well run Clark Gable...
...Roosevelt's fears of possible Nazi attempts to extend influence to the United States and declared fears of German invasion of this country "absolutely foolish...
...He did a good job of putting crooks in jail, as he was hired to do, but to say that this makes him eligible for the presidency is to belittle that office...
...They said they would be able to smash every English coastal city...
...All my life I've opposed the labor and capitalistic policies which Wendell Wilkie stands for, but he (president of Commonwealth and Southern, giant utility holding company) has an able administrative and business head...
...He is bitterly disliked by his associates and has completely disregarded his duties for six months...
...Robert Taft "insufferably dull" and added "There is nothing to the Taft campaign but Martha Taft...
...Villard termed Sen...
...I campaigned for Wheeler when he was running for vice president on La Follette's ticket in 1924," Villard recalled...
...It Is very discouraging that in the greatest crisis in the world's history we should have so mediocre candidates for the presidency," he said...
...Villard said...
...lie declared, "and there is every reason why we should stay out...
...I think the German charge that the British bombed Schleswig is very ominous, for when I was in Germany high military officers told me they would smash England by July 15...
...Villard was in Madison for a brief visit with his nephew...
...They told nir Ihc warfare of 1914-18 was dead, that they were putting their faith in bombers and would control the air...
...The former rt..:or of the Nation, born in Germany but a lifelong paci- ] fist, spoke with the background of a recent trip abroad that ended in mid-December, after the flames of war were blazing in Europe...
...Villard does not believe, however, that America should enter the present war, or that it need fear direct effects of possible German victory...
...I do not believe, as some do, that he sold out to the 'interests' when he opposed Roosevelt on the supreme court bill...
...I don't think Roosevelt will run unless forced to—and he of course can put his own interpretation on the 'force.' I don't think the Republicans have a strong candidate yet...
...Villard said, "but if Germany is able to dominate Europe, it is only a question of time until it will have to fight Russia...
...Germany is turning more and more to Communism and Russia more and mere to capitalism...
...We in New York cannot understand the apparent success of Tom Dewey's campaigning," Villard went on...
...veteran liberal, editor and world observer declared here last week...
...It is a measure of how hard up the Republican party is when Dewey is seriously considered...
...They were absolutely certain—as confident ;i> any human can be of the future...
...Harold Ickes yesterday expressed the same view in Washington...
...Speaking of domestic political affairs, the veteran liberal said he did not believe Roosevelt would seek a third term "unless forced to" and expressed sincere sorrow over the dearth of able candidates for the presidency...
...Villard did not know that Sec...
...Dean Lloyd K, Garrison of the university law school, while on a cross country trip which combined vacationing with lecture duties...
...He is a very small and inexperienced man...
...Perhaps this is bluff, and certainly they did not take into consideration any British opposition, so these claims must be discounted...
...We can stay out of this war if we will...
...He asked eagerly for latest war news, fitting Allied reverses into forecasts he heard in Germany before his return to America late last year...
...Lives for Sale Italy and Italian lives are for sale to the highest bidder, just as they were in 1915-16, Villard believes...
...I am convinced that his liberalism is just as sound as ever...
...That is what we need in Washington, for in many ways Roosevelt has been a very poor administrator...
...He was a great campaigner and has a great record...
...Villard also forecast that if Germany is successful In its efforts to dominate Europe, sooner or later the Nazis will have to fight Russia...
...But their very plans are horrifying...
...FLEMING High officers of the German army are absolutely confident that they will smash England by July 15 and may have given the signal for the beginning of widespread bombing yesterday when they charged England with shelling an unfortified civilian town in Schleswig-Holstein, Oswald Garrison Villard...
...We must remember, though, that Britain and France did very badly in the last World war, only to emerge victorious with the help of America...
...Now 71, Villard shook his head sadly as he described European conditions today as "unbelievably horrible...
...Villard Says Germans Are Confident They Will Smash En gland hy July 15 Former Editor of Nation Gives Views During Visit Here Veteran Liberal Bases His Statement On Recent Visit in Europe BY ROBERT II...
Vol. 10 • May 1940 • No. 18
