Agents of Disorder

Southland Times, Issue 25538, 5 December 1944, Page 4

Agents of Disorder

THE ACTIVITY of communists has become one of the most interesting features of post-liberation politics in Europe. In Belgium, where a crisis was narrowly averted —though the situation still remains difficult—the Pierlot Government is said to have the support of all parties except the communists. Yet this small minority came close to provoking riots similar to those which have just occurred in Athens. In Rome, where gangs of youths are reported to have attacked royalists with wooden hammers and other primitive weapons, the rioters were described as communists and republicans. Only in Greece, however, has the party succeeded in causing serious mischief. Its task was made easier by the divisions which existed among the guerrilla forces before the country was liberated. The shooting in Athens was a tragedy which should have been averted. But it could scarcely have occurred if the country had not been in a state of political unrest. The savage police action against unarmed demonstrators will increase this unrest, and may have farreaching effects in Greek politics. Meanwhile it may be asked why the communists should be so anxious to delay the restoration of civil order in so many different countries. ’Are they members of the same party, under the direction of a central organization, or are they simply the turbulent elements of the population for whom it is convenient to find a common political label? There are communist parties in most countries, including Britain and New Zealand. Ever since Russia was invaded, their policy has been one of full support of the war effort against Germany. Why has that aim ceased to be important? It is surely as necessary to maintain order in the liberated countries, until the enemy is defeated, as it was to plan an underground resistance during the years of occupation. If these parties still acknowledge their loyalty to Russia, in spite of the Comintern’s extinction, it seems odd that they should create disorders which may be against Russian interests. The communists appear to believe that liberation is an opportunity to overthrow whatever regime may be established, and that in making the attempt they remain true to their principles, even though they are principles to which Russia no longer gives an official support. If they are acting independently, they are at least revealing a remarkable uniformity of purpose. They may be the leaders of a radical movement which expresses a mass reaction to the years of repression, or simply incurable trouble-makers. Whatever their status, they seem certain to do their best to prove the truth of Trotsky’s dogma: that war must inevitably be followed by revolution.