SOVIET EXPECTATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26719, 13 March 1948, Page 7

SOVIET EXPECTATIONS

PERMANENT DIVISION OF GERMANY NEW ECONOMIC BODY FORMED N.Z.P.A.—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. LONDON, Mar. 12. The creation by the Russians of a Central Economic Commission to supervise the whole of their eastern zone of Germany is new evidence that the Soviet Government expects the partition of Germany to last, says The Times in a leader. Hitherto the Soviet authorities in Eastern Germany have issued orders to 18 economic departments in Berlin which have passed them on to the five provincial Governments. These departments are now placed under the direct administration of the Central Economic Commission, ivhich, in contrast with its Anglo-American counterpart in Frankfurt, has farreaching authority over the provincial administrations and greater power to act. Whereas the Western Allies have preferred to base their hopes of democratic recovery on lively and dynamic development witipn the different provinces of their zones, the Russians have not hesitated to impose upon their zone their own mentality and outlook. No doubt, The Times adds, they will hold their economic commission in readiness to become the fully-fledged Government, if and when they think this will bring them an advantage. The partition of Germany is almost an accomplished fact.