Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1945 THE EUROPEAN STAGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 226, 23 August 1945, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1945 THE EUROPEAN STAGE.

In ltis first statement as Foreign Minister on tlie policy the Labour Government is pursuing in Europe, Mr Ernest Bevin spoke candidly on the conditions existing in many countries, giving a most comprehensive survey and not concealing the magnitude of the task nor the disquietude it must cause. It is common knowledge that the gravest crisis the world has known for many centuries lies in the food situation in Europe. Countless millions will know tlie pangs of hunger in the winter before them. The Germans in the British zone have been informed that their rations will be sufficient to maintain life and there can be no domestic supplies of coal, this in a land where the depth of winter is bitter weather. But even the scanty food rations the Germans will have may be counted a luxury compared with the privations of some peoples. This is only one facet —grave as it is—of the many-sided task the United Nations have assumed in restoring Europe. It is complicated too by political developments which Mr Bevin mentioned. “There will he much in the period ahead,” he said, “which we do not like. The one thing at which we must aim resolutely, even at the beginning, is to prevent the substitution of one form of totalitarianism for another.” This .is a matter to which Mr Churchill lias drawn pointed attention. Governments established in Rumania, Bulgaria, and Hungary are frowned upon by Britain as not representing truly the people of each State, and the “impression got from- recent developments is that one kind of totalitarianism is being replaced by another.”

Bulgaria has been rebuked for not providing for all democratic elements to participate in flie election next Sunday, and lias been bluntly informed by tlie United States that not until a representative regime lias been established will America conclude a peace treaty witli her. Britain, it is clear from Mr Bevin’s statement, supports this view. It is clear, too, that she wants to see free and unfettered elections held quickly in tlie many States, including Greece, now released from German occupation or from Nazi political control. It is a moot point, however, whether the new form of. totalitarianism springing rip in these countries will agree io the British and American ideal. It is a matter of keen interest that progress is being made in Belgium, Holland, nnd Norway. Their people are industrious and suffered very grievously under German rule, and when their freedom came they had to start afresh. This was particularly true of Belgium, but a good measure of stability now developing augurs well for a better year, though tlie winter will bring its privations. Poland is another danger spot on the European stage, and like Mr Church ill Mr Bevin sees tlie danger of the Poles .going too far west. Tentative though the. western boundary line may be, it presents a fait accompli that may be difficult to change at tlie peace table. Air Bevin has taken a firm stand on this important matter of Britain’s policy in Europe and has earned wide support. It is the continuance of the Coalition’s policy and therefore not unfamiliar to the House of Corn-

mons. There will be the fullest endorsement for his view that economic reconstruction must precede attempts to restore political systems to a normal state.