Evening star., 1945-07-09
Report From Belgrade
By Neicboid Noyes, Jr.,
star War Correspondent.

British and Americans, walking in
Belgrade streets knew they were liked
by these people, but knew also that
they we're quarantined More than one
old man took off his hat to me as we
passed on the sidewalk Yet 1t was not
wise to stop and talk with Britisher
or an American. Osna. the secret po-
lice, saw everything, and Osna might
ask questions.
These are the things a stranger is
likely to notice in the capital of this
land where the men who led the fight
against the Germans, conducting at
the same time sort of revolution
against the cat who was away, have
taken over the government.
The course Tito's partisans are fol-
lowing, the governmental pattern they
are setting is matter of interest prop
erly extending far beyond the borders
of Yugoslavia. In much the same way
that the aspirations of the common man
everywhere marched into battle with
Tito's hungry divisions, they are with
him today as, going about the business
of reconstructlng his battered home
land, he repeats the promises of free
dom and justice he made in their
behalf
All Western Europe has its eye on
the new Yugoslavia as test tube in
which can be observed the possible re-
suits of the social revolution which has
everywhere been an integral part of
the European war. What did not hap
pen in Greece did happen in Yugoslavia.
But the Greek issue is presumably not
yet resolved, and neither is the same
in Elraf1 in nv
another European country where the
people are fed up with the shabby
political hand the past has dealt them.
They have been watching Yugoslavia
with new hope. If Tito and his men
let down the people of Yugoslavia, they
will let down the people of the world.
There is another reason why what is
going on in Yugoslavia is of world
wide Importance. This country, politi-
cally and geographically, is in the bor-
derland area between Russia and the
west. II it becomes sort of theological
bridge between Russia and the west.
the cause of peace and international
understanding will be far advanced.
But if it becomes, one way or the other,
a wall between the two spheres of
world power, it will have performed a
great international diSservice-to the
people on both sides of that wall.
I spent 18 days in Yugoslavia-ob-
viously too snort time to learn a lot
at first hand. I stayed in Belgrade,
however, and I talked to people who
have not been similarly handicapped by
lack of time in their study Of the
situation. This is the first of series
of articles in which intend to report
on what I learned from them.
I interviewed as many members Of
the government as possible. 1t will be
clear, however, that my principal source
is the group of neutral observers who
have long been in close and relatively
unbiased contact with developments in
that country, and who are in position
to know, If any outsider knows, what
is going on.
To identify these men more fully
would be indiscreet. But many of them
were among the first and friendliest
supporters Of Titos partisans and the
war they fought-men who were inStru-
mental in persuading the world that 1t
was the partisans who were fighting on
our side in Yugoslavia. Many of them,
too, are leftist by intellectual persua-
sion.
Today, having watched the partisans
cease firing and start governing, these
men. without exception. are worried
Not a few admit to disillusionment