Greymouth Evening Star. Wednesday, AUGUST 3, 1949. Tactical Change In Germany

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 August 1949, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. Wednesday, AUGUST 3, 1949. Tactical Change In Germany

’T’HE decision to taper off the Berlin air- * lift comes as a'reminder that 1 for the first time since the end of the war Russia has suffered a major diplomatic defeat. It would be a mistake, however, to assume that the success of the air-lift has in any sense assured security for the West, The “cold war” is being waged as relentlessly as ever; the Kremlin has merely changed its tactics. Confronted with resolute and determined action on the part of the Western democracies, it has staged a strategic withdrawal. The air-lift has most certainly been an outstanding and unexpected success. But the Communists are not so easily rebuffed. In conformity with their change of tactics, they have now re-entered the political battle with renewed energy; forsaking their bludgeoning methods, at least ostensibly, they have now adopted velvet-glove strategy. The latest reports from Berlin show that a strenuous effort is being made in the Western zones to win adherents to the Soviet-sponsored “National Front.” The National Front is advertised as a movement for German unity embracing all parties, ex-Nazis included. This decision to welcome the support of former enemies is interesting in the light of the report, published yesterday, that in the Soviet zone , not a few former active Nazis are doing responsible tasks. In addition, the Communist leader, Walter Ulbricht, who is responsible for the industrialisation plan for the Russian zone, has gone on record as offering- big public jobs to former Nazis, provided they are anti-American. This is indeed an interesting commentary on the attitude of those extremists in this country who deny that Communists, Nazis and Fascists are sisters under the skin. The ultimate aim of the Communists is to unite all Germany under the domination of a single party—their own. . The original Soviet instrument, the® Socialist Unity Party, has not proved equal to the task; it has been losing ground even in the Soviet zone. The device is, therefore, to cast it afresh throughout Germany under the guise of the National Front. While from the start the key posts in the National Front are reserved for Communists, a parade is made at first of the equal participation of recruits from other parties, all marching together towards the goal of national unity. The intention is, of course, later to eliminate all non-Com-munist elements, when the National Front would be revealed for what it is—a Communist bid under Soviet auspices for totalitarian power. Precisely the same process has been seen in the Eastern satellite countries where Popular Front coalitions have been set up, only to be subsequently purged of all but Communists and fellow-travellers. The design is the same the world over.