BRITISH COMMENT ON CRISIS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25428, 26 February 1948, Page 7

BRITISH COMMENT ON CRISIS

» “The Czech crisis is no sudden happening, but has been long and carefully prepared in conformity with a familiar pattern,” says the “Daily Herald’’ in a leading article. “First, at the close of the war, the Communists effusively protested their readiness to work in loyal and democratic co-operation with other parties. Then, under cover of this, the Communists infiltrated into key positions, including the secret police and broadcasting. Finally, the mask has been half dropped with the opening of hostilities against the other parties in the coslition.

“The example of neighbouring countries is there as a warning of what happens to Socialist parties which fall into this trap. Those who help the Ccmtnunists to power become themselves the first victims of Communist dictatorship. In every country of the Soviet bloc, except Czechoslovakia, there is now a complete Communist dictatorship. Where fragments of other parties are permitted to exist, it is

only on condition that they are entirely subservient. Political and personal liberty have vanished. “The situation is more than grave. The possibility is that the last free democracy in eastern Europe may be overthrown. For the west, the whole story has one clear lesson. It is that no democracy can, without endangering its own existence, place any faith in Communist protestations of allow Communist fifth columns to ensconce themselves in any position of power and authority.” The diplomatic correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian’ r says that the Czech crisis “contains all the elements, all the lies, all the subterfuges and terrorism of the methods which enabled the Communists to build up their chain of police States in eastern Europe.” He adds: “The major aim of the Communists is to split and break the Social Democrat Party and, unfortunately, it appears that they have willing tools withirr that party.”