AT CROSS-ROADS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 161, 10 July 1945, Page 5

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POLICY IN GERMANY Russians Fraternise With Civilians N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, July 9. ' Allied policy in Germany is at the cross-roads, it is believed. Major decisions on political administration, fraternisation, propaganda, newspapers, films, radio, food supplies and transport will soon have to be taken. At present there is a lack of co-ordinated policy among the Allies occupying Germany, for the differences between the Russian, administration of conquered territory and the British and American administrations are reported to be vast.

The Red Army authorities are clearly doing all they can to restore trade unions and other working class organisations, not only in Berlin, but also throughout the half of Germany which is now under Soviet control. The Russians are making it quite clear that their aims are the complete elimination of the Nazis but unlimited co-operation with the people of Germany. Three or four former German political parties are showing signs of life in. the Russian zone, but no encouragement has been given by the British, and American authorities. German governments in old German States have been established by Marshal Zhukov, but not one of the other Allied Commanders-in-Chief has taken a similar course. The Russians allow their troops to fraternise with the civilian population, but; the British and Americans still maintain a rigid ban. * * Soviet Assurances Discussing the position generally, a correspondent in the Observer says the Soviet Government has given categorical assurances that it will do nothing to "adjust" Russianheld Germany to the Soviet system no matter how long the occupation lasts. This assurance presumably underlies the belief that it will be possible to work out a single Allied policy for all four zones *of occupation. There is a distinct!tendency, however, to wait and see whether the Russian practice will be in line with the Russian assurances.

Particular importance is being attached to the co-ordination of economic action and sharing by the occupation Powers of burdens, responsibilities and benefits that are likely to arise out of each zone. In the American zone, for instance, there is a deficit of food and coal. This will presumably toe discussed by the Big Three at their forthcoming conference, when the problem of Germany is expected to be the gravest and most far-reaching that will confront them. Shape of a New Germany Commenting on the position the newspaper Economist says links must be forged to unite local nuclei of economic and administrative activity into broader regional and provincial units. The shape of a new Germany is to be created and the Military Government is expected to preside over that unparalleled and still unpredictable process. The collapse of German Nazi-ism meant not only the breakdown of a German administration but also the temporary eclipse and disappearance of any social or political leadership in the German nation itself. Nobody seems to be more acutely aware of this than the Germans themselves. The German masses seem for the time being to be resigned to the fact that the government of their country is to be a "foreigners' show," and there is now noticeable even a tendency to view with relief the freeing of the German people from all political responsibility for its own affairs. Disadvantages are likely to spring from such an attitude, for it is difficult to imagine how reconstruction of any normal life in Germany will be possible if the people persist in their apathy. On the other hand, it is difficult to imagine that this mood will be maintained for many years. When capacity for normal political reactions is regained the reaction is likely to be discontent and opposition to foreign, military rule. Degree of Co-operation From Berlin The Times correspondent reports that it seems as though the Soviet system of military government is. more detailed than, ours. More officers are employed .for- the same job, though whether they have been given special training is not known. Apart from the major points at issue they have shown great willingness to co-oper-ate. They have made a systematic purge of the Berlin police force, which, though still strong numerically, has admittedly suffered in efficiency. The legal profession has also been cleared of Nazis, and it is stated that plenty of good non-Nazi lawyers are practising in the courts, which are working normally. It is sincerely hoped here that unified control in Germany will ! come into action as soon as possible ; and decisions to that end are being I awaited with growing restlessness.