Berlin, Dec.. 22.
The statement made by Mr, Sumner Welles, U.S, Under-Secretary of State, in response to the German protest and demand for an apology for the statements of the Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Harold L. Ickes, in his recent speech in Cleveland, apparently fell on deaf ears im Berlin tonight.
Officials were all absent from tne Foreign Office when the reports of Mr, Welles' statement came through. They were celebrating a pre-Christmas "Comradeship Evening" at one of the leading ball-rooms in the West End.
Officials of the Propaganda Ministry questioned tonight claimed to be without knowledge of Mr. Welles' statement, adding, "At any rate the matter is hardly of such importance that something should be done tonight," Foreign diplomats, however, when. apprised of the contents of the statement expressed the opinion that it would unquestionably cause deterioration in German-American relations which have been growing more for some time. An open break was not expected. WU The Nazi Party organ, the "Voelkisoher Beobachter, "refémred to the danger of an outright break in diplomatic relations. While there was no official comment in the controlled German press, it was emphasized that "a grave strain' would po placed on German-American relations when Nazi anger had been fully stirred by the American State Department's assertion that Mr. Ickes' remarks ree presented the feelings of the great majority of the American people.
"Kind of State of War"
The "Voelkischer Beobachter," referring to Mr. Ickes, said, "He earnestlysto believe that a not detestable under whi States Ministers seek to provoke kind of state of war between Gers many and the United States and urge the breaking off of relations precisely at the moment when systems of clarification appear on the horizon.
This is especially the reason why the irresponsible activities*of Ickes and his consorts is reprehensible. "It is hoped that the United States will not fall victims to these pirates of public opinion, but will make an effort to understand European problems instead of listening to the vicious intigations of war mongers,"
The "Beobachter" further said that "we prefer to assume that Washington wanted to spread the all of obi the choleric, phili-Semi-
The press described Mr. Ickes" Cleveland speech as "so to the leadership of Germany that Washington cannot be left in. doubt about the detrimental effects these impertinent remarks of a Cabinet Minister will have in Berlin." The papers asserted that it was "childish" to say Mr. Ickes could make such speeches without. official sanction.
The "Boersen Zeitung" described Mr. Ickes, remarks as further evidence that "the political and financial quarters now in power dance to the tune of international Jewry."—United Press.
U.S. Press Comments "This Stupid Company"
New York, Dec. 22.
The press here this morning stressed the serious tension in relations between the United States and Germany.
"The strain has never been as tense since the Great War," he "New York Herald Tribune" stated.
"Our first care has always been for our own problems, but this Tas rever prevented us from saying what we think when any Government in the world commits acts of barbarism and brutality," the *New York Times" declared. "This daes not mean that we shall not continue to hope with confidence that one day we shall see a great people in the heart of Europe find once again their senses and their freedom."—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.