THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1949. PUPPETS IN GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27213, 17 October 1949, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1949. PUPPETS IN GERMANY

According to Russian announcements this day will be an important one for Germany. It has been selected for the formal inauguration of the Eastern German Democratic Republic and for the new Government to take over from the Russian Military Administration, which will be replaced by a Soviet Control Commission. It may be doubted, however, if the people of Eastern Germany will notice much difference. Authority will now be exercised by organisations with different names, but all power will continue to reside in the agents of Moscow. What has been taking place during the past week has been the creation of a puppet regime of Communists and fellow-travellers, such as has been set up in the States behind the iron curtain. It may be imagined that, although German nationals are cast for the roles of Government, Russia will have taken great care that no German nationalists who might be guilty of Tito’s form of treachery have been admitted. ■ The steps by which the Government came into being are interesting. The German “People’s Council ” met in Berlin and by unanimous vote transformed itself into a “ Provisional People’s Chamber ” whose task is to create a “constitutional” Government ofvthe German Democratic Republic. There have been no elections —except the farce last May—and no reference to the people. No elections will be held for some time, and then the process will certainly be that which the Russians describe as an election —an option of risking a negative vote on something which is # going to happen in any case. The last meeting of the Four Foreign Ministers in Paris proved that there" was no hope of a united German Government being set up—it would have provided an opportunity for the familiar Soviet process of infiltration and displacement—and immediately the maichinery. to establish a Western German Government was put in motion. That Government was duly elected and has commenced to function. . The Russians had little option but to provide some similar evidence of their democratic intentions. By setting up the Eastern German Republic and Government they have made the last move in the formal partition of the country which their policy has made inevitable. But it is possible that the Russian action can cause serious embarrassment to Great Britain, the United States, and France, and to the Western German Government. The technique is one which has been attempted elsewhere. Once the puppet Government is in being, Russia has no need to maintain a military establishment and can withdraw it, challenging the other occupying Powers to do the same. If the Western Allies do follow suit, they will lay their protege open to Soviet intrigue and direct pressure; if they refuse, they provide Russia with a theme for propaganda which would appeal perhaps even more to the Western Germans than to those in the East.

THE MAN FROM MOSCOW It is a small and select band to which Mr C. W. Boswell belongs. As New Zealand’s diplomatic representative in Moscow he has lived behind the iron curtain; he was there even before that metaphorical phenomenon was lowered across Europe. While many have visited Soviet Russia for short periods since the war, few have spent much time there, so it would appear that Mr Boswell has had rare opportunities for learning how life is really lived in that important country. A nationwide audience awaits him when and if he speaks. It is true that very often the foreigner who goes to Russia sees what he was convinced he would see. On the other hand, it has been known that fervid Communists and Communist sympathisers have left the land of their dreams in painful disillusionment, though it is difficult to recall an opponent of Communism being converted by glimpsing it in practice. Mr Boswell’s testimony as a man must be subject to the same considerations as have made so many other statements of the “ truth about Russia ” unsatisfying, yet it is highly desirable that it should be given. Mr Boswell, however, was in Moscow as a diplomatic official. As such, his life was governed by rigid conventions. The chances are that he has not travelled as widely nor seen as much as might be supposed. [He has seen “very little” of Mr Stalin since the war]. It is possible, too, that the unconvincing reasons' which have been given for imposing silence on Mr Boswell so far may continue to be regarded, officially, as good and sufficient. Such an attitude must be resisted. When Mr Boswell arrived in New Zealand the other day, he had little to say, but to do him justice, it is what he left unsaid that was significant. According to the Wellington report, “Mr Boswell returned to New Zealand with ‘ definite opinions ’ and he declined to amplify the statement.” But it is surely an amplification that he should add that New Zealand had “nothing to learn ” from Russia and “ plenty to give.” Mr Boswell has not liked what he saw, that much is plain, and it will be some return for the expense of maintaining a legation if New Zealanders are told with all emphasis and sincerity why he has been convinced that Russia has nothing worthwhile to offer the world. Mr Boswell said living conditions in Russia were poorer than those in New Zealand. That is unequivocal, but his statement that the average New Zealander “ works harder to gain his living” requires explanation. Officially, Mr, Boswell bears Mr Vyshinsky’s personal assurance that Russia is “ intensely anxious for world peace.” He can complete his official duties by delivering that message to his Govern-ment-—it is' the conditions of that peace which are important—but he cannot discharge his duty to the nation until he has spoken the truth as he has seen it.