Evening star., 1945-08-05

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slider it at given time as contrary to
their national interests.
1t just happens that the vital national
interests of the United States, which
aim at no territorial expansion at the
expense of other people, are based on a
desire to have peace all over the world.
Since 1910 the bulk of the members
of the United Nations, and particularly
our major Allies, have been on the re-
ceiving end while this country was
supplying them with everything they
desired. A large part of the $263, ,000,-
100000 which we have spent so far in
this war was used in some form or
other for those who fought the Axis.
They received American monies and
supplies from lease-lend. Now the
American people hope to cash in on
their investment, not in cash or goods
but in the shape of lasting peace.
1t is too early to forecast whether
our hopes will materialize The Gov
ernment of the United States has made
every concession our major Allies have
asked of us. These concessions were
frequently in contradiction to the prin-
ciples which carried us into the war.
But there was no opposition to a policy
which many descTi-e as rank appease-
ment in order not to jeopardize the
principal purpose of our fight and heavy
losses-a lasting peace We will know
within the next few years. and possibly
earlier, whether this conciliatory atti-
tude on moral matters will pay the
expected dividends.
On Verge of Moral Collapse.
At the present, however the screened
reports we received from Europe indi-
cate that the continent is on the verge
of moral collapse. This is due less to
the lack of essentials for the popula-
ton than to the desire of the few to
establish themselves in power by
"tamerlane" methods.
Europe east of the Elbe River is prac-
tically a closed book to the American
people The few shreds of reliable in
formation in the hands of the American
authorities in Washington are being
kept as a carefully guarded secret and
are not being released for fear of dis
turbing the good relations with our
Allies. American newspapermen who, in
the prewar days were permitted to cir
culate wherever they wished with rela-
lively few handicaps from the totali-
tartan governments. are now prevented
from exercising their functions as inde-
pendent chroniclers and unbiased OBJ
servers for the American people.
The few who manage to get into the
liberated" countries east of the Elbe
and in the Balkans write with tongue in
cheek Their stories are still subject to
| censorship. and they fear that too many
indiscretions would injure their chances
of seeing and reporting more in the
future. But even in the carefully
phrased dispatches they are sending
back from the few capitals which they
are sometimes permitted to visit, it is
obvious that a reign of terror prevails
in these regions.
Reporters with fresh approval, such
as The Stars Newbold Noyes jr., writ
ing from Italy about Yugoslavia. where
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could not go into the interior, paint
disheartening picture. According to the
most optimistic observers, the Yugoslav
regime has only 20 per cent backing
from the people. 1t maintains itself in
power only by a rule of terror which
could be described as at least as bad as
Hitler's and far worse than Mussolini's.
Calls Conditions Terrible.
high-ranking diplomat, whose name
cannot be revealed because he expects
to return to his post in Europe, tells his
superiors in Washington that the situa-
ton is terrible and that arson, rape
and violence are common in certain
sections of the continent. If the Ameri-
can Government departments, which
receive fairly accurate accounts through
their official and unofficial representa-
tives. were to release one-tenth of the
reports in their secret and confidential
files, the American people would be
Mortified beyond words.
The principals of the United Nations
have refused to permit such peace
loving nations as Switzerland and Swe-
den to join the peace organization at
this time because the notion of neutral
ity has disappeared from international
relations in this day and age. In the
same way there are no more politically
neutral individuals in any country east
of the Elbe. Peaceful citizens who
were caught by the calamity of Hitler's
aggression, and because they are too
old to fight in their native country are
being described as collaborators lest
they join the partisans or any of the
underground movements. At best they
see their property confscated; at worst
they get into a concentration camp. .
Americans Not Welcome.
Mass looting, mass indignities on
women regardless of their age are said
to be common. Confscatory laws in
the name of the neo-democracy are
being promulgated every day Some
times they are the result of new legis-
lation passed by so-called parliaments
which have been created by the new
dictators and owe their existence not
to the popular will but to the kindness
of the dictator.
In areas which American and British
troops still occupy the situation is less
dramatic. But in all the other regions
the same horrifying stories are heard
by those who occasionally can make a
contact with the unfortunate slaves of
the new democratic" regimes,
Under these circumstances it is not