OCR
Aol September - page seven propaganda slogans, their need of rearming Hast Germany, the obvious difficulties in production and transportation, the lack of available goods and the administrative chaos 4nd inefficienéy (a fact that Germans cannot understand), are revealing symptoms in their eyese Eastern Germans compare in their minds these weaknesses of the soviet regime with the strength of Western defenses and of American production. They come to the conclusion that, should the west use an energetic language and talk by deeds, Russians would be ready to give in, at least in “uropee Moscow, in that case, would be ready to compromise on the question of a united Germany and would agree on free elections to be helde As to the outcome of such elections - at least as far as Eastern Ge:many is concerned - the general feeling runs as followSe The communist Party would obtain, at the very best, 5% of the voices; probably even lesse The remainder of the bulletins would go, it is expected, to a slight majority of socialists; altiough late schumacher personally had lost his following in the Kast Bor his attitude against rearmament and a Western coalition. The weaknesses of the conservative arties — the CDU and the liberals - lies in the fact that their present sastern representatives cooperate with the communists, out of sheer weakness and fear. “lthcugh the Adenauer policy in the West, is followed with sympathy by 80% of the sastern German population, tkemx its majority will not vote for the sast CDU, which they despises Besides, from a purely organizational point of view, it is felt that the socialists too are in advantage: it is easier to establish contacts and to create a movement in compact and highly populated industrial centers, than it is in wide rural areas and in small towns. Whatever the future evolution will bring, one thing is clear, as far as political thinking in Eastern Germany goes: hopes are pinned on the West and on its strong and fearless attitude. Therefore, Chancellor Adenauer's Western policy is backed by the overwhelming majority. Neutralists are considered treators and more than once the statement was heard that, should Pastor Niemoeller present himself in the DDR, he would certainely be stoned. These are facts and forces that exist and that the West shoul¢ not disregard. Another positive element has to be added: the deep religious revival taking place in many parts of Hastern Germany, which had previously practically lost all faith. foday already there are great possibilities for psychological warfare and for propaganda. The Hast is ready and open for it; but it will reach its purpose only, if tuned along these positive and constructive lines. : SET