Press Compilation: British Newspaper Commentary on Berlin Elections and U.N. General Assembly

This document, marked as page 7 of a larger report, provides a summary of British press reactions to international political developments in October 1946. The first section, dated October 22, covers commentary from 'The Times' and 'The Daily Mirror' regarding the Berlin elections. 'The Times' interprets the election results as a significant rejection of Communism and Russia by the Berlin populace, though it notes that Communism does not adhere to majority voting. 'The Daily Mirror' emphasizes that the democratic expression in the Berlin elections places a new responsibility on the occupying powers to ensure democracy becomes a reality in Germany, warning that failure to do so could lead to the Germans blaming the very democratic systems they voted for. The second section, dated October 24, discusses British newspaper reactions to a speech by President Truman at the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, linking it to statements made by Mr. Attlee, Mr. Bevin, and Mr. Churchill in the House of Commons. 'The Times' argues that the General Assembly meeting marks the true beginning of U.N. work and urges against cynicism despite existing deadlocks in the Security Council. Furthermore, the paper addresses a question raised by Mr. Churchill in the House of Commons concerning the presence of over two hundred Soviet divisions in occupied European countries. 'The Times' expresses distress that confidence between the Allies has declined to the point of public debate regarding mobilization, while noting that the matter was initiated by the Russians requesting information about British and American forces.