Evening star., 1945-03-18

OF the American labor movement. There
is current report-possibly apocryphal
that when the use of German labor was
discussed at the Yalta Conference, the
President told Premier Stain that it
was a plan the American people would
never approve. To which the hardened
Soviet leader was supposed to have re-
piled in effect: We'll, what difference
does that make?"
Insist on Germany Paying.
Such Russian semiofacial sources as
Ilya Ehrenburg and the publication War
and the Working Glasses have made it
evident that Moscow is determined the
Germans shall restore what they have
destroyed.
The American Federation of Labor,
through its president, William Green,
already had attacked the Russian plan
as economically unsound and indefen-
slble from social point of view"
However, the letter column in a recent
edition of the Stars and Stripes, official
publication of the American Army in
Europe. made it evident that many SOL
diers who have seen something of Nad
Jury do not agree with Mr. Green.
Where does William Green get the
idea that the Germans shouldn't re-
construct the millions of homes they
have destroyed" asked a letter signed
''Doughboy, Ward 7, Hosp. Plant" It
continued:
Are We supposed to supply them with
the materials and labor while they sit
around and laugh at us? If we should
lose the war there wouldn't be any doubt
in Hitler's mind that American PW's
would help reconstruct Germany. I'm
sure that If Green were here for one day
he would sing a different tune"
Want Unions Consulted.
1t is interesting that the World Trade
Union Conference which met in London
last month failed to oppose plans for
the use OF German labor in Allied coun-
tries. It did, however, adopt a resolu-
tion asking that the trade union move
ment should be consulted about the
use OF German material and manpower
for restoration Of devastated areas"
From moral viewpoint-not always
guiding force in war settlements but
important In American public thinking
"a strong case can be made for the use
OF German manpower and materials un-
der Allied military control for the res
toration OF destroyed areas and also for
the restoration of looted property.
The Russians, the Poles, the Greeks
and the Dutch-to name four OF the
most tragic sufferers-can pile up tons
OF factual evidence that the German
Army's destruction was not limited to
such military installations as munitions
plants, docks and bridges but extended
to peaceful homes and shops. Much Of
it seemed to be impeled by no reason
but sheer love of vandalism and desire
to cover their enemies.
Under the systematic guidance of the
Ruwista-the economic arm of the Ger
man Army-treasures of art were looted
from the occupied countries, gold re-
serves were stolen, merchants and
wealthy citizens were forced to surrender
their food, clothing and other effects
for valueless currency.
Moreover, an estimated 100000 to
100000 foreigners were imported into
Germany from the occupied countries
as slave labor. Some, like the Poles,
were merely rounded up by the Gestapo.
Others like the French and Norwegians
were assembled by combination of
threats and fake promises. But very
four nf fhocn :,
Nations Relief and Rehabilitations Ad-
ministration must now care for and re-
patriate can be called "free" labor.