Evening star., 1945-08-03


by Germany"
Significantly, however, 1t said
that "in governing the German
economy, primary emphasis shall
be given to the development of agri-
culture and peaceful domestic in
dustries." The country will be
stripped to the point where 1t has
neither shipping nor aircraft.
There was nothing to indicate
how long Allied control may last.
For the time being, no central
German government shall be estab-
lished," the cornmunique said. How
ever, local self-government is to be
restored throughout the country ION
democratic principles" and SEEM
ingly the long-range plan contem-
plates that by the expansion and
development Of these local govern
ments unified German state even
tually will come into existence.
~ Reparations Agreement.
The Yalta agreement provided for
the exaction of reparations in kind
from Germany, and under the plan
now set up, Russia will meet in part
her own claims from her zone Of
occupation, and will settle the claims
of Poland from her share.
In addition, Russia will get 25
per cent of the German industrial
capital equipment not necessary for
the German peace economy, from
the western zone, but will pay for
Is per cent of this by the tranfer
of food and other commodities.
The United States, the United
Kingdom and other claimants will
extract their reparations from the
western zone.
In addition, all claimants will
take over appropriate German ex-
ternal assets"
The Soviet renounces claims to
the vast gold hoard seized by Allied
troops in Germany.
. Details of all reparations are to be
worked out by the Allied Repara-
tions Commission meeting in Mos
cow, but the Big Three agreed that
they should 'leave enough resources
to enable. the German people to
subsist without external assistance" !"
Polish Elections Agreed On.
In dealing with the Polish situa-
ton, the Big Three reafdrmed sup
port of the new provisional govern
ment at Warsaw, and officially took
cognizance of its promise to hold
free and unfettered" elections as
soon as possible.
The realignment of boundaries
proposed is designed to compensate
Poland for the loss of much of her
prewar lands to Russia.
The reshaping of the Reich boun-
daries means that millions OF Ger
man people must be moved west
ward into what remains Of Germany
proper. The problem does not end
there, for the claims of western ma
tions, notably the Netherlands, for
German territories in the west have
yet to be acted on.
The Big Three took cognizance of
the population shifts already grow
ing out of the war, and recognize"
that the transfer Of Germans re-
manning in Poland, Czechoslovakia
and Hungary win have to be under
taken.
Providing for transfers "in an
orderly and humane manner" the
Big Three have put 1t up to the
Allied Control Council to determine
how these returning Germans can
be equitably distributed in the sew
eral zones Of occupation, to tighten
the burden that they will impose on
the occupying authorities.
The slap at Franco had been ac-
curately predicted despite the Sc
crecy which surrounded the Pots
dam Conference.
The communique said that the
three governments would support
the application from nations which
have been neutral in the war, for
membership in the United Nation,
but would not favor any applica-
ton for membership put forward
by the present Spanish government"
because of its Axis-connected back
ground.