THE BERLIN STATEMENT

PRESS COMMENT

INITIATIVE TOWARDS EASING

TENSION

(Hriiish Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, July 22.

The "Daily Telegraph," in a leader on the statement by the German Foreign Office spokesman concerning the German attitude to Danzig, says it is too soon to assess the significance of the statement.

"It is not easy to understand how the two views expressed by the spokesman are regarded by the German Government as mutually reconcilable," the newspaper continues. "If Germany does not want or expect a war over Danzig, no one else has any reason to want or expect one either. But it is she and she alone who has made of Danzig a problem threatening the peace of Europe—a problem which Herr Hitler declared in February, 1938, to be non-existent.

"The reasons for yesterday's statement in Berlin remain obscure. If it means that Germany has decided to initiate an easing of the tension, and it is she alone who can take the initiative, then well and good. .But on that the rest of the world awaits the event."

PUTTING THE ONUS ON POLAND.

"The Times" draws attention to the declaration that Germany is going ahead to get Danzig without compromising and without condition, and that she gives notice for the first time officially that there may be military measures in the future, both in Germany and Danzig, but that these would be of "a purely defensive character." "Here the aim is quite clearly to put the onus of responsibility for any difficulties on Poland," "The Times" states. "Germany for her part is against a warlike solution of the problem, on the presumption that she will get what she wants unconditionally."

"The Times" says that where the statement is less direct and much less adroit is hi suggesting that a wedge can be driven between Britain and her ally, that the British Government would put pressure on the Poles to give way, and that in fact Britain would go back on her word. In this connection "The Times" recalls Mr. Chamberlain's statement of July 10 on Britain's attitude to the Danzig problem, and in which he said that Britain would stand by her pledges to Poland.