25 APRIL 1958, Page 7

ONLY A PROFESSIONAL anti-German could com- plain of Dr. Adenauer's

statement at the Mansion House that the Anglo-German talks had shown that there could be real friendship and agreement between the German and British peoples. But, according to the Daily Telegraph, the Chancellor went on to say that there had been mistakes on both sides in the past, but he thought that the balance sheet was about even. The fact that he went on to quote from St. John's gospel, 'Let him without sin among them cast the first stone,' suggests that Dr. Adenauer may not be quite sure that the balance sheet really is quite even. But even that sign of grace does not excuse such a Monumentally inaccurate piece of history. What 'mistake' of ours, I wonder, does Dr. Adenauer think balances the 1939 war?