Soviet’s Armed Force For Police State In East Germany

Grey River Argus, 29 October 1948, Page 5

Soviet’s Armed Force For Police State In East Germany

BERLIN. October 27.

The Russians had planned a police force of 200,000 in the Soviet zone armed with mortars, heavy machineguns and armoured cars, sadi the British Military Governor, General Sir Brian Robertson.

Speaking at a press conference, General Robertson said: “I do not think the Russian actions are compatible with the Potsdam Agreement. However, I shall not make any protest. We do not intend to match this policy in the Western zones. This new organisation is of a dsitinctly military character. Its amament is formidable. This police force is being organised and armed—and it is being armed to deal with Germans.”

General Robertson added that the Soviet police force is reported as being recruited from General Paulus's army, men captured at Stalingrad and since indoctrinated with Communism. The Western Allies had to look on the force as a Russianinspired scheme to turn Germany into a police state after the occupation troops left. German political leaders from the Soviet zone have been, invited to visit Moscow on November 7 to attend the! celebration of tt.he 31st. anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution.