Evening star., 1945-11-04
Dased Europe Cropping in Chaos
Political Upheava Add Difficulty Developing
Shelter Prevent Epidemics
4er Sinaen
By AIes Singleton

the principle OF international freedom
of the press But, outside of Western
Europe, that concept has still failed to
realize its ideal. And in some Western
countries there remain hidden checks
against free press Some countries
use government ALLEGATION of short sup
plies of newsprint as a potentially pow
erful weapon with which to penalize
the opposition press.
This was the general picture of six
months after peace. The reports from
the capitals were more specific on the
various accomplishments and difficulties
of the various countries.
High Lights of Survey.
Here are some of the high lights:
Austria--The clock on the graceful
spire of Vienna's Rathaus ticks off the
hours for all the Viennese TO see, but the
steady sweep of its gilded hands are one
of the few signs of return to normalcy
in Austria's dispirited capital.
Windows of thousands of heatless
dwellings still yawn uncovered Huge
piles of debris still litter streets. Indus
trial reparations for Russia, lack of ma
terial and credit. and big-power dis
agreement over trade pacts have left
her manufacturing plants idle.
Austria has asked the Allied Control
Commission for $45,000,00O worth of
glass, rubber, textiles, tiles, cars. trucks
and bicycles to help relieve the situation
offering oil, iron, lumber and mag
nestle in return. Medical authorities
estimate the death rate currently about
5000 monthly may double, and have
expressed the fear that epidemics may
sweep Vienna this winter.
Belgium-Well-stock store windows
and well-fed people testify to the strides
this little country has made toward re-
turn to normalcy. Belgium claims she
restored her transportation system faster
than any other country that suffered
NaZi rule. The government has claimed
that it has won the battle for coal"
with daily output of 5000 tons.
Britain Strives for Trade.
Britain-The present government ap-
peared caught-at least temporarily
between the demands for elimination of
wartime sacrifices and the necessity for
stalking the country's credit and long
time empire preference in trade policy
to regain export business and improve
domestic living conditions. Housing, de-
mobilization, reconversion and preven-
ton Of unemployment make the decision
doubly difficult.
Czechoslovakia - Achievements: Sub
stantial revival of democratized indus
try, progress toward liquidating die
tatorial, transitional government powers,
movement toward establishment of
democratic stabilization Of currency, ex-
pulsion of German minorities, acquisi-
tion of raw materials over crippled
transportation system
Denmark - 900 German refugees
have posed big problem for Denmark
apart from that of dealing with hun
dreds of political criminals and prof.
teers. Economically the country's con-
ditions have improved considerably, with
coal the biggest immediate need. The
textile industry has resumed production
with some imported wool and cotton.
Building remains at standstill, but a
state housing committee has been
named to construct 10000 apartments
within five years.
France-Sheer elemental cold and
hunger finally may break the flve-year
anesthesia of defeat and occupation
which all prodding of the government
has failed to dispel. Official surveys Of
food, fuel, housing, industrial and trade
prospects show some improvement over
last winter, but it is barely perceptible
to the average French worker or house.
wife. The housing situation is acute
with no general construction scheduled
until 1916. Industrial reconversion
barely is underway.
Finland Plagued by Reparations.
Finland-Peace has brought little
change to Finland, country struggling
to meet Russian reparations while suf-
fering from critical imitation and short
ages of fuel, clothing and homes The
Communist party now holds Is per cent
of Parliament's seats and several key
government posts. There have been few
signs of Fascism, but the government
was forced this summer to break up a
ring of former officers who attempted
to build up supply of hidden arms and
ammunition.
Germany-Germany's immediate goal
is subsistence. Her people are going
through political, economic and spiritual
purgatory. Their efforts are being bent
toward Tending off the Winters hazards