Evening star., 1944-12-07
Months of Civil War
Seen Ahead in Europe
Democracy Must Pay That Price
For Liberation, Says Writer
By David Laurence

ASA~A NY 1AoSt ny hut INV
For Liberation, Says Writer
By Dauid Laurence
Internal friction In Greece, in Italy
and in Belgium is the price that democ-
racy will have to pay to apply the prin-
ciple of self-government in the nber-
ated countries.
The attitude Of the American Govern
ment in declaring hands-on policy in
Italy is q significant precedent. 1t was
polite way of notifying the British
government that the days of imperialism
are over and that any effort to main
tain the royal family in Italy or Greece
cannot be expected to receive American
support.
On the face of it, this looks like .
serious difference of opinion between
the British and ourselves, but actually
1t is not. In Great Britain itself there
are liberal elements which are much
more sympathetic with the American
approach than with the British policy.
The argument, of course, of the
Churchill Eden side of the controversy
is that order must be maintained now
and that democracy can come a little
later on.
Stability First Aim.
There is much to be said in favor Of
mitting the democratic processes to
function. This was what the American
Government doubtless would have ia
vored in the first instance. 1t will be
recalled that President Roosevelt was
unjustly criticized because he was not
in hurry to recognize the De Gaullist
government. He preferred to let the
processes of democracy develop first and
not to put the American stamp of ap-
proval in advance on any individual.
But the pressure from the De Gaullists
was so strong and the situation inside
France became so disturbed that it was
deemed desirable to recognize the De
Gaulist government on the theory
that 1t would produce stability.
Somewhat the same situation prevails
or will prevail in other liberated coun-
tries. On the one hand, the theory is
advanced that in order to achieve sta
bility the existing regime or the ministry
that has been in exile should be per-
mitted to start things off, but, on the
other hand, the opposition-usually the
underground forces-feels that this Is
giving an undue advantage to the OFF,
cials who actually hold the reins OF
government and control the police and
other forms of political action.
The American people have always had
traditional policy to keep hands OF
internal disputes of other countries.
There was nothing surprising in the
statement issued by Secretary Stet-
tinius to the effect that the United
States would keep hands of the dis
pute over the composition of the Ital-
| ian cabinet, but it was nevertheless a
| courageous thing to do. The European
| tradition is to try behind the scenes to
| get a ministry or cabinet that is
friendly" The Russians recently in
dicated their desire to have friendly"
governments in Poland and Iran, and
|
ernments in some of the other liberated
countries in the Balkans.
Delicate Problem.
It Is contended that, to be realistic,
these conditions must be accepted as
the only way to maintain law and order.
But the other side insists that internal
forces must be permitted to apply their
own pressures in their own way even II
it means the exercise OF the right 20
revolution. This Is going to present
many delicate problem to the Allied
governments who will have to decide
whether they are going to protect an
existing regime or whether they are
going to let the natural processes Of
revolution by underground forces or
other groups get the upper hand.
The question is not easy to resolve
because bloodshed would appear to be
the inevitable consequence of the fric-
ton no matter which way the decision
goes In the long run, however, 1t Is
not likely that the United States will
| allow its military forces to do in any
| liberated country what the British have
| just found it necessary to do in Greece
namely, to use bayonets to uphold an
existing regime.
II revolutionary conditions interfere
with military objectives as against Ger
many, then the setting up Of military
government composed of British, Amer
lean and Russian representatives may
be the answer. But in countries like
Greece, or even in Belgium, which an
behind the lines, there is no eagernesa
to divert American military officers
supplies, and transport facilities b
supply occupying armies.
The price of democracy comes high
and since this war Is being fought fol
| democracy and to attain the freedoms
| Of democracy, it IS quite probable that
before Europe achieves = state Of peacs
within the liberated countries there viii
unhappily be many months Of rsvol,i-
ton or civil war and economic chaos
In Europe.
Reproduetion Rishts Rsssrysd)
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