SOVIET BLOC RELATIONS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28537, 17 March 1958, Page 14

SOVIET BLOC RELATIONS

Tale Of Missing Waistcoat (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, March 15. In spite of recent Moscow protestations of lasting friendship between the governments of the Soviet Bloc, friendship between the peoples is rare, says the “Daily Telegraph” commentator on Soviet affairs telling a story current in Rumania. A Rumanian workman, he says, was told to fill "railway trucks with Rumanian grain to be sent to Russia. Before starting work he took off his waistcoat and hung it up inside the truck. At midday he went to have a few drinks with friends, and when he returned he found, the truck loaded and sealed with the waistcoat inside. The stationmaster told him the frontier was only 20 miles away, and the grain would be unloaded there because of a change in gauge. The Rumanian got on a train and arrived at the frontier, where he spent some time arguing with the Russian authorities. In the meantime the engine had been shunted to the other end of the train. It now faced Rumania and bore a placard, “A gift. of Grain from the Fraternal Soviet Peoples to Rumania.” There were Mayoral greetings at each town along the route, music and speeches. At each stop the workman went to the authorities and pleaded for his waistcoat.

The only reply he got was, “Keep quiet, don’t say a word. If the secret police hear that you know what’s happened, you will be arrested.” -