POZNAN BACK TO NORMAL

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28010, 3 July 1956, Page 13

POZNAN BACK TO NORMAL

Police Question Riot Prisoners

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) 'Rec. 10.15 p.m.) WARSAW, July 2. , Quiet has returned to Poznan and most of the troops summoned there during last week’s riots have now left. No demonstrations have been reported from any other part of Poland. Polish security police are busy interrogating the prisoners taken during Thursday’s disturbances in which 48 people are reported to have died. The estimate of prisoners ranges from 300 to 600. Those who are brought to trial will probably face a court in Poznan. The official Polish attitude is that the disturbances were staged in Poznan at the time of the big international fair with the deliberate aim of discrediting the Communist regime in the eyes of the world. The fair was not closed down by the disturbances, and ended on schedule yesterday. British Press Comment The Polish riots might be the match to touch off the dry tinder of Hungary and Czechoslovakia said the diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Mail.’’ J . “The spirit of revolt, is abroad, too, 'J 1 R urnan * a and Albania and in the Baine states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, ’ the correspondent said. Students, intellectuals and young workers in these countries had showfi unmistakeable signs lately of dissatisfaction with their role of Kremlin hangers-on. .Czechoslovakia there is chaos in the mining industry after the steppingup of production targets.” The “News Chronicle” said that the Poznan riots could be for Mr Khrushchev what the East Berlin revolt was three years ago for Beria. The Soviet secret police chief, LavrTlV- - r ? a ’ was arrested after the B&ilin rising and liquidated. His rivals profited then by the blow to his prestige.

The “News Chronicle” diplomatic a st r ri>2?l’ d J nt Sald tllat there was slill ?in SSI f ° r su P remac y in the Krem- ? lale a n £ ov i though down, was not out and he had the backing ot the vast army of Soviet bureaucrats.