Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1946. The Allies in Germany

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 July 1946, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1946. The Allies in Germany

THE British Government’s acceptance in. principle of the United States proposal to join the American zone of occupation in Germany, with any other zones for the purpose of treating the zones so joined as an economic unit means that a step is about to be taken that yvill relieve the taxpayers of both those countries of a heavy burden, as well as placing the economy of the German areas concerned on a more stable footing. It was recently announced, for instance, that the occupation of Germany was costing the British people £80,000,000 a year, a sum which pressed heavily on the already over-bur-dened taxpayer.

The' adoption of the proposal for economic fusion may, however, have more far-reaching consequences. Diplomats in Washington, according to the cabled report, expect that Britain and America will immediately begin to arrange details for the unification of their zones, with France joining in promptly and Russia remaining adamant in her refusal to co-op-erate with the Western Powers. Already Germany has been severely truncated in the east by the line drawn at Potsdam. Russia in her rule of the area behind this line has refused all approaches to implement the provisions in the Potsdam agreement for the administration of Germany as an economic whole. Attitude of Russia.

The effect of this decision of Britain and the United States, which is expected to have the practical co-operation of France, will be that unless Russia agrees also to come into the economic unification scheme, Germany will be split in two. The step taken by the Western Powers is at once necessary but risky. It may quite conceivably result in closing the last line of approach to co-operation with the Soviet authorities. If it does, the Western Powers, which have for long had their patience and tolerance sorely tried, cannot in all justice be blamed. The present indecisive drift in Germany has already been allowed to continue to dangerous lengths. By their decision the "Western Nations have in effect told Russia that if she sincerely desires co-operation with them the next move is hers.

It is essential to the restoration of a healthy economic life in Germany—and in Europe —that the country should be considered as a single economic whole, and this is no less necessary to the Allied programme of industrial disarmament for Germany. The plan approved some months ago by all the occupying Powers provides for limitations on trade and production which would be quite impossible to apply in the complete absence of a central authority, and the experience of the 12 months which have elapsed since the capitulation has shown with overwhelming force the need for overall administration in the economic sphere. Testing Ground.

It would scarcely be possible, however, to promote the degree of economic unity necessary for trade while insisting that there should be no semblance of political unity between the various regions. Fundamentally the division between the Great Powers is one of ideologies. The Western nations desire to see fostered the democratic ideal for which they fought. Russia, on the other hand, is establishing bureaucratic absolutism in the regions she has occupied, and is endeavouring, through the Com-

munists, to promote it in the regions occu pied by the British, the Americans an< the French.

The division of Germany into zones of occupation was nominally a temporary arrangement made at Potsdam, pending the peace settlement. It would be unrealistic to hold the view that Russian policy is not aimed at. perpetuating it. And yet it has become increasingly clear that only a radical revision of that policy will lead to the establishment of lasting peace in Europe. Germany is the testing ground. The achievement of co-operation there on the part of all the occupying Powers would go far towards helping to break down the mutual suspicions which are preventing the devising of settlement terms for other countries in Europe. The Western Allies have taken a courageous yet realistic step. It is one that may lead to the division of Europe, a happening that has long been feared because of the possibility that it may eventually give rise to open conflict. It is also one that offers to Russia an opportunity to co-operate in the task of bringing lasting peace to Europe. There are few, if any, who will not hope that she will welcome it.