OCR
2 eptember 52 — page five the production cooperative. Property of the soil still remains individual, but buying,selling, use of machines etc. are in commone Advantages are attached to voluntary participation in the scheme, such as reduction of forced deliveries and of taxes, use of agricultural machines etce Despite the propaganda, most farmers refuse to volunteere in that case, pressure is used: heavy taxes are claimed; punitive deliveries are requested (frequently even of goods which that special farm or region does not produce); strict tax revisions are made as far back as 1945 and retroactively heavy punishments - sums of 10 to 15.000 marks to be paid cash and at once - imposed; the farm labor is drafted into industry; no seeds nor fertilizers are granted through the public distribution centerse No choice remains: the farmer has to join the cooperative, although he knows that the next step is the total collectivization, the kolkhose system. lany farmers have been totally ruined and send to labor camps or drafted into heavy industry. For trade and small business, the same prodedure is used. fax yevisienax Inspection of past book-keeping, punifive taxations, barring from deliveries of goods and material ruin the tradesman or shopkeeper who opposes nationalizatione lis business is then absorbed in a large industrial unit or in the HO ("Handelsorganisation"), the governmentalowned chain of general stores and eating placese fransportations are state-owned. “ut from all over Eastern Germany come the same reports as to their very poor conditions. Railroads are old and not replaced. Accidents are frequent, because the rails have . been in use too long and breake If such occurs, two or three employees, — known as being "reactionaries" - are blamed and dismissed. the technical 4. situation is not improved; the war-time, poor quality material continues to be useds (4) Church, school and youth. - it is an interesting fact to note that, up to recent wecks, the bast German government avoided any open anti-Church policy. Of course, schools and all active youth organizatiors were entirely taken over by the state in a totalitarian communistic spirit; individual members of the clergy and leading lay people were emprisoned; Church activities were closely watched; the recruting of new priests and ministers was rendered difficult. But in theory, the churches remained open, the worship was free, ecclesiastical property was not touched, any purely religious activity was allowed, even among young people. The reason for this state 66 affairs was a question of strategy. Hastern Germany wanted to keep a door open for possible negociations with the rest. “he Churches were the only possible platform, the peace campaing the only propaganda weapon in that diregtion., s. It is worthwhile watching the rapid change along both linesf Picasso's dove has been replaced by old nationalist slogans dating back to 1848 and by militaristic paroles; the Vhurches are being attacked and blamed, whereever an opportunity is presentede The trend is very clear. the tempo with which the repression of the Churches will be carried out, will depend on the degree of resistance met and on the evolution of the international situation. as to the nationalization of children, youth and education, the full absorption and purge will be only a question of weeks. All observers in SO: