WAR PRISONERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 July 1946, Page 8

WAR PRISONERS

ORMAN ATTITUDE NOW MORE FRIENDLY

NEW YORK. July 28. The War Department announced (hat at least 74 per cent, of 837,000 German prisoners of war brought to Apiericn have returned, to Europe with, a friendly attitude, towards America and with on improved appreciation of democracy. The conclusions are based, on an opinion poll recently completed of 22,153 prisoners from camps throughout America, which showed the older prisoners were more pro-democratic and less Nazi-minded than the younger men.

Those between 26 and 30 years gave the highest percentage of unfavourable answers. About 33 per cent, were definitely anti-Nazi and pro-democratic compared -with an estimated 13 per cent, before Ihe commencement of the Army’s _ reeducation programme. An. additional 41 per cent, were favourably inclined to democracy, 10 per cent, are still militantly pro-Nazi, and 16 per cent., while not strictly . pro-Nazi, were unfavourably disposed towards America. ' . X J About 62 per cent, indicated a preference for democracy in Germany, 7 per cent, favoured Communism, 5 per cent, favoured a constitutional monarchy, 2 per cent, the Social Democrats, and 5 per cent, were for National Socialism. Asked if they thought the Jews were responsible for Germany’s troubles 33 per cent. answered “No ” 49 per cent said “Partly,” 8 per cent. “Entirely.” and 10 per cent, declined to answer. The ballot was conducted under completely secret conditions and every effort was made to ensure that a fair cross section of the whole was obtained,