Berlin As Seen By Experimental Democrats

Wanganui Chronicle, 11 May 1948, Page 5

Berlin As Seen By Experimental Democrats

(From Jack Smyth, Reuters’ Correspondent.) Berlin (by Airmail). A picture of Germany today as seen through the eyes of former model American-held German prisoners of war is provided by a recent analysis made by the Opinion Surveys section of the United States Military Government's Information Control Division. The men, 78 of them, were among a group of specially selected prisoners sent to school at Fort Getty at the end of the war to learn about democracy and the principles for which the United States stands. They were chosen for the school primarily on the grounds of their political outlook and disposition to deny autocratic, racial and enthnocentric doctrines. Their intellectual capacity, better than average, was also a factor in their selection. Apart from giving them a certificate on completion of the course, which included a recommendation to American officers in Germany, no special provision was made for their future. They were merely turned loose in Gennany in the hope that they would prove to be seeds from which might sprout a democratic point of view among German civilians. In the spring ot last year, the Opinion Surveys section here attempted to get in touch with as many as possible of these “experimental democrats,” who had more or less regularly corresponded with their former teachers, in order to investigate their attitudes and opinions towards Germany. Seventyeight of them belonging to many different professions and including scientists, merchants, artists, politicians, newsmen, film producers, lawyers and laborers, responded to a long questionnaire. Not only did they answer the questions put to them but in many cases, provided several pages of comment on other topics. The former American-held prisoners said that on their return to Germany they were impressed more by the chaotic state of the mental attitude of the people than by the physical and material conditions. Nearly half of them claimed that "widespread corruption, redtape and the low level of both morals and morale in all aspects of public and family life” formed their first and most shocking impression. All declared that Nazi and militaristic elements were still to be met everywhere. Three-quarters of the men expressed the opinion that an increase in industrial production was the most urgent problem facing the German people today while six out of ten declared that an increase in food supplies should take first place Half of them thought that there should be a close connection between increased production and food supplies, and the same number expressed fear lest corruption and red tape should impede efforts at reconstruction. Most of them said they were unable to give a clear-cut reply to a question on the possible duration ot the occupation. Four out of ten said it would depend on the course of international relations and particularly on how the United States and Russia reached agreement—or whether they reached agreement at all. One In ten thought the occupation would last until there was a functioning democracy In Germany. One in twenty of the men considered that when economic conditions in Germany have been sufficiently normalised, the occupation troops should be withdrawn, but none mentioned the possible influence of any political development on this problem. The question of the future of Germany proved a difficult one for most of the panel. Less than a fifth stated that Germany woul-.i recover regaiuless of any outside help. An equal number considered recovery without outside help impossible. Some, completely pessimistic, declared that Germany was already lost. Seven out of ten considered general economic, political and social conditions the greatest obstacles to the democratisation ot Germany. One reply stated: “The difficulties lie in the first place with the problem of food. A man who is hungry, and despite that must work, cannot be won over to democracy.” But the panel group also mentioned political shortcomings among the German people themselves as an obstacle to democracy. Half of them accused the German people of political apathy, intolerance and lack of genuine conception of freedom. Blame was also laid on the political parties and the German authorities, both of whom were described as inefficient.

LATEST CRICKET When the “Chronicle” went to press this morning tho Australian cricketers, playing at the Oval, London, had carried their Saturday’s score of 479 for the loss of tour wickets to 683 before they were all dismissed. That was the position at the luncheon adjournment. Tallon reached his century.