200,000 Armed Policemen

Northern Advocate, 28 October 1948, Page 7

200,000 Armed Policemen

Russian Plan For Reich

BERLIN, Wed. (12.30 p.m.)—The Russians had planned a police force of 200,000 in the Soviet zone, armed with mortars, heavy machine-guns and armoured cars, said the British Military Governor (General Robertson).

Speaking at a Press conference General Robertson said: “I don’t think the Russian actions are compatible with the Potsdam Agreement. However, I shall not make any protest, “We don’t intend to match (this policy in the Western zones. “This new organisation is of a distinctly military character. Its armament is formidable.

“POLICE STATE” 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 was reportedly being recruited from men belonging to the armies of Generals Paulus and Seydlitz, captured at Stalingrad and since indoctrinated with Communism. The Western Allies had to look on the force as a Russian-inspired scheme to turn Germany into a police state after the occupation troops left. DISMANTLING AGREEMENT Britain, France and the United States have jointly announced agreement to review the dismantling of German factories for reparations in the light of Marshall Plan needs. It is understood, says Reuter, that dismantling already in progress will be continued, but will be conducted in such a way that it will be possible for plant to- be reassembled if a strong case is made out for retention of individual plants in Germany.