BOMBED CITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 February 1941, Page 9

BOMBED CITIES

MR WENDELL WILLKIE’S TOUR IMPRESSED BY HIGH MORALE OF PEOPLE. NO SIGN OF DEPRESSED SPIRITS. tßritish Official Wireless.' RUGBY. February 2. ?.Ir Wendell Willkie, continuing his tour, visited Coventry today and was received with enthusiasm by a large, cheering crowd. He was conducted through the ruins of Coventry Cathedral by the Bishop. Dr. Newyn Haigh. and he also visited on foot the centre of the city, where he saw the debris of a large, number of shops and business premises.

The remainder of the tour was made by motor-car, enabling him to see further damage caused in a big area oy the raid on November 14. Upon leaving the city the cars proceeded to a destination in Warwickshire. Speaking to Press representatives, Mr Willkie said he was greatly impressed by the high morale of the citizens. He had seen no evidence of depressed spirits or of “giving up." The party later made a similar tour of Birmingham. Arriving at the civil boundary from Coventry, Mr Willkie was met by a large and enthusiastic crowd which made any formal reception by Birmingham’s dignitaries impossible. Hundreds of people crowded round endeavouring to shake the American’s hand, and all the way along the route to Birmingham Council House crowds gathered to cheer the distinguished visitor. Mr Willkie expressed pleasure at the enormous welcome accorded him in Birmingham when he attended a Press conference following his tour round the bombed areas. He spoke of visits paid to factories, the organisation and production methods of which had impressed him. He said he had been given free rein both by the Government and the management of the factories, and he had been able to go where he liked, see what he liked and talk to whom he liked. He had talked in the factories to working men, and he paid a tribute to their calm, unexcitable determination to do their job. Replying to the Lord Mayor’s address of welcome, Mr Willkie said he was astounded at the extent of the damage done by bombs. Nothing published in the American Press had given any real idea of the extent of the damage in Birmingham. “But." he said, “the reconstruction I have seen being put into operation is an example of how a city can recover. Without the morale and steadfastness which I have seen everywhere I realise that this could not have been carried out.

"I personally hope America will give you such personal aid that with your steadfastness and courage you will shortly win through." Mr Willkie is proceeding tonight to Manchester and Liverpool.