Stranica 2 [2]
- page two ¬
ly at least, was bitterly eritical of the French stand on the
Ssar, pointing out its lack of democracy and its nationelism.
Added to this, the possible postponement of the elections was
a definite sign of desperate weakness on the part of the Saar
regime. Such a postponement, the Saar people argue, is the
first and infallible sign of coming capitulation. And in this
appreciation, not only the friends of G .rmany concur. In fact
it shows best among those willing to shsport the present re¬
gime. These people are now afraif for their lives. And it is
certainly not a coinsidence ig a high official of the Saar re¬
gime complained to this observer, that it was increasingly dif¬
ficult for the Governenent to find qualified officials for its
administration. Promising young men refuse to go into publie
life, since they are afraid of a future fate as collaboratio¬
nists. They will not admit this, but these are the facts.
For obvious reasons the men of the Saar regime and
their main sponsor, Ambassador Gilbert Grandval, are unwilling
to tho ow in the sponge. They are able and cunning persons.
And fundamentally they have a certain, though hidden support
in the population, which has rarely enjoyed a better governe¬
ment and greater prosperity than now. the Steel Mills and the
Mines have an incredible prosperity. The wages are very good,
prices are not to hich, U loyment is practically non-exis¬
ting. Despite this, over 504 of the Saar Budget is devoted
to gotial services, Somewhat over 9% of the budget is devoted
to the building of new housings, which, together with the hou=
ses built by private enterprise, puts the Saar today at the
head of all the Europeah countries in the building of new
dwellings for its population. People are really enjoying the
highest standards of living since the present status has been
established 3; they live better than the French or the Gr¬
Manse
Pe The Saar regime itself is honest and clean. Friends
of G rmany will say, that the men of the regime have been
bougfit by the French. This is not true. This observer, who
first was inclined to believe these charges is now convinced
that they are untrue. The People in the governement really
believe in what they are doing. This is certainly true of the
62 years old "Father" Johannes Hoffmann, a former newspaper¬
man and political organizer. The very able Minister of Econo¬
mies, Franz Ruland, is holding the same views as his superior,
The strong man, Minister of Interior Dr. Edgar Hector is a
true fanatic of his ideas : he is for the ties with F,ance
because he loves France passionately, and because, as a Jew,
he harbours in his heart bitterness towards Germany. The other