SICKNESS—OR SIN?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27059, 19 April 1949, Page 4

SICKNESS—OR SIN?

It is at present a matter for conjecture whether the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Mr Georgi Dimitrov, has “ fallen ill ” or has “ fallen.” Mr Dimitrov has led a very active life, in the course of which he has undoubtedly been subjected to severe nervous strain, and it is quite possible that his health has suffered. But so uncertain are the fortunes of any man in a police State that the announcement that Mr Dimitrov has gone to Russia for medical treatment is sufficient to attract comment. ' There is reason for this. Recently a purge was carried out in the Bulgarian Communist Party, and 300 members were dismissed, including the Deputy Prime Min-' ister, Mr Kostov. From Belgrade, Marshal Tito has described this incident in terms of the removal of “ capitalist intelligence agents,” but Tito has himself been conducting “ spy ” trials, and may have seized on the opportunity for local propaganda purposes. In Rumania there has also been sudden activity in high places. Two of the three Vicepremiers have been released from their posts so that they can better devote themselves to their “ important duties.” The phrase is reminiscent of that used in connection with the reshuffling in the Soviet Politbureau. And in Hungary and Poland there has been heavy mortality—political at least—among leading Communist Party members. The Mindszenty trial in Hungary rather obscured the fact that there has been a party purge in that country, notably a mass trial of officials of the Ministry of Agriculture. In Poland, towards the end of last year, Socialist leaders accused of the sin of nationalism were purged before the merger of the Socialist and Communist Parties. Politics in Eastern Europe and the Balkans is traditionally a hazardous occupation, but where Moscow’s secret police keep check on the members of satellite Governments the accident rate appears to be much higher than normal. Although there has been considerable difficulty in these countries with policies for the “ sovietisation ” of the land, since the defection of Marshal Tito Moscow appears to be most concerned about the risk from sparks of patriotism which may smoulder in the breasts of national leaders. Mr Dimitrov’s record as a Communist is an impressive one, yet there is at least one black mark against his name in the records of

the Kremlin. About a year ago he was officially rebuked for his interest in an East European Federation. Not long agb he announced a variant of that proposal which, if it were carried out, would give Bulgaria—and Mr Dimitrov—a key position. As the scheme involved the disintegration of Yugoslavia, it was surmised that the proposal had Moscow’s approval. If this has not been the case, and Mr Dimitrov has again transgressed, it is doubtful if his health will be improved by a sojourn in Russia.