Evening star., 1945-11-11

causing confusion.
Serious Lack of Essentials.
But the complete absence of the es-
sentlals OF life Is causing a general dis
content even in areas which in the past
were friendly to the new regime. The
general complaint of the Yugoslav peo-
pie is that the supplies obtained in lin
tied quantities from abroad-either
from UNRRA or from Russia-are be-
ing distributed only to those who have
proved themselves 100 per cent behind
Tito.
The political element enters into the
Yugoslav picture more than in Poland
The inhabitants of Yugoslavia do not
mind physical hardships when they
fight for freedom. For centuries the
Serbs fought the more or less benevo-
lent occupation of the Turks and did not
give up what appeared to be an uneven
fight until they obtained their complete
freedom. The Croatians and the Slo-
venes fought as best they could the
Austro- Hungarian oppression until they
were given chance to have their free
dom after the World War.
During all these years the Yugoslavs
have been brow-beaten, their villages
and towns have been destroyed and their
notables have been taken as hostages
and killed in order to bring the nation
into submission. All this didn't help.
The revolutionaries hid in the high
mountains and continued their fight
against oppression and foreign occupa-
ton. Now they are once more on the
rampage and, according to available re-
ports, are waging slow but deadly
guerrilla warfare against a government
which they consider as a puppet of
foreign power The lack of essentials
to keep body and soul together merely
increased the peoples evaporation.
There are indications that even in
Romania, where the people have risen
against foreign occupation only when it
became too overbearing, the situation
has reached a point of effervescence
which may soon be translated into open
rebellion.
Groza Government Opposed.
About 10000 Russian troops of an
army of occupation estimated at about
100000 men are said to have deserted
from the ranks and settled in various
sections of Romania. In spite of the Of
fetal reports from the Romanian au-
thorities which are describing the Groza
government as popular with the rank
and file, unbiased reports from the few
western observers in that country say
that the contrary is true. The Groza
government manages to remain in power
only because it is supported by Russian
bayonets and by ruthless secret police,
The leaders of the Romanian Peasant
party, DR.. Julius Manu-, is in open OPP
position to the Russian-imposed gov
ernment. So is King Michael.
Neither has been molested, although
there have been many reports in the
past that they were due for purge.
The reason for this restrained atti-
tude on the part of the Grozo cabinet is
that the Russian military commander
does not want to have an open rebellion
on his hands at this time. Manu- and
his followers are allowed to complain
and protest. Some of their active fol-
lowers have been sent to concentration
camps, but the opposition movement
has not been ruthlessly suppressed in
order to avoid violent outburst.
Romania Better OFF.
Romania is said to be better off as
far as the food situation is concerned
and there has been less devastation of
homes and farms than in the other
Balkan areas. But American and Brit
ish observers feel that the country is
seething with discomfort and violent
outbursts may be expected at any time
These are contagious in the Balkans
and the situation in Yugoslavia is al
ready having its repercussions in many
of the Romanian districts.
The situation in Bulgaria is no better,
although rosy official information is
reaching the outside world from Sofia.
After genuine outburst of enthusiasm
with which the Bulgarian people greeted
the arrival of the Russian forces of lib
Grafton, the situation changed rapidly.
According to our observers, the discon-
tent of the population against regime
which is ruled with an iron hand from
Moscow is steadily increasing The dis
illusionment is greater in Bulgaria
than in any other Balkan country be-
cause for more than century the Bull
garians regarded themselves as the
wards of the great Russian Empire.
They were glad to be wards, but they
are now baking at being subservient to
foreign government.
1t is not easy for foreigners to OBJ
tain clear view on the actual situation
in that Danubian state, since all moves
are strictly controlled. But from the
evidence produced by Bulgars, who
brave the penalties of communicating
with foreigners, it appears that there is
move toward the mountains" on the
part of many able-bodied natives who
are organizing themselves for resistance.
Hunger is less rampant than in Yugo-
slavia. But the thirst for freedom is
as great.
Fear Greek Outbreak.
A similar situation is reported In
Greece, where starvation is widespread
The Greeks are more divided ideolog-
ically than other Balkan peoples and
civil warts expected to break out in the
near future. But it is hunger and In
fatio9 more than theological conflicts
which are going to produce trouble in
Greece.
theological and racial conflicts have
started in China, Java, Palestine and
Egypt. Whether they will be localized
or will spread under the impulse Of the
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