Evening star., 1943-08-08
Free Germany National Group
In Moscow Causes Worry Here
TWELVE PAGES
BY Constantine Brofcn.

The new Free Germany National Com
mittee formed in Moscow of noblemen,
regular army officers, ministers, politi-
clans, trade unionists and Communists
in exile, is receiving considerable at
tention in Washington official quarters.
The fact that the official Soviet organ,
Pravda, gave its blessing to the forma-
ton of the committee is considered
highly significant, although the argument
presented by Pravda that the Free Ger
many Committee will play an even more
useful role in overthrowing Hitler's
regime :. than was played with regard
to Italy by the Committee of Free Italians
founded in London long ago. is not being
Endorsed by responsible American
officials.
1t is pointed out that Allied planes and
ground forces which have bombed Italy
and have penetrated Sicily, together
with the activities of American agents
in Italy. have brought the downfall of
Fascism9 The Committee of Free Italians
in London has had nothing to do with it.
Those who are following the political
trends in the world admit that refugees
and political eXiles have little hold on
the people in their home countries. The
fact that they are living in relative COM
fort and security in London, Washing
ton, Moscow or neutral countries plays
against them with their own people.
The movement of the German prisoners
of war and political refugees in Russia
is particularly interesting to us because
the majority of the signatories of the
first manifesto to the German people
acted with the blessing of the Soviet
government
Strategy Hinges on Reds.
The Russians are fighting a brilliant
battle on the eastern front. On their
continuation to fight throughout this
summer and fall depends almost ex-
clusively the strategy of the United Ma
tions. With the limited forces we now
have at our disposal in the Mediter-
ranean we can contemplate a major
offensive against the Reich itself through
the south only if we know definitely that
our ally in the east will continue to keep
busy the 225 Nazi divisions and the more
than so per cent of the Luftwaffe. >.-
So far our relationship with Russia
has been restricted to our sending the
USSR everything it needed in war ma
terials and foodstuffs under the lease
lend program. With this assistance the
Russian armies have been able not only
to stave off the Nazi onslaughts, but also
have been able to assume arr offensive
this summer.
This offensive has been of immense
help to our forces in the Mediterranean
because itpinned down more than $780,
600 German troops and an overwhelming
slice of Germany's aviation. Thus only
a very limited force was available to
protect Sicily and Italy d..
Politically however, the relations be-
tween the USSR and its western Allies
still needs Qualification. The Russians
are signatories of the Atlantic Charter,
which is a loose document. But from
all indications the Moscow government
thinks justly that the Atlantic Charter
In its present shape is subject to
wide Interpretation.
Have Little in Common.
Moreover, we also have been told that
the constitution of the USSR takes
precedent over the charter. The Soviet
constitution is more recent than ours
and among other things contains GER
tain definitions regarding boundaries.
But outside the signature of the At
lantic Charter and the oft expressed
view that we are fighting the Nazis
together there is little in common be-
tween the western and the eastern
branch of the United Nations For in
stance, the declaration at Casablanca
that nothing short of complete surrender
of the Axis-of course includes Japan
will be considered by the American
and the British Governments has won
the applause of Moscow, but never its
adherence.
Premier Marshal Stain told the world
In his November speech something
about the Russian war aims which are
the destruction of the Nazi gang in
Germany, but not necessarily of the