The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1946-07-05
NEWS AND VIEWS
BY ALEXANDER s. LIPSETT
Gan ILNS Feature)
Gan ILNS Feature)

The American-sponsored plan to
politically reorganize Germany in a
federation of autonomous states loose
ly held together by customs union
has run into opposition within that
utterly defeated nation. The opposi-
tion is not confined to any single
group. It transcends political and eco
nomic lines. It has leaped like wild
fire across the borders of the a occu-
patton zones. Thus the unity of Ger
man national spirit and purpose, bur-
led for while under the shattering
impact Of defeat, has been resurrect-
ed by proposal, as harmful to the
reconstruction Of Europe as it is
dangerous to the peace of the world.
Helpless though they are at pres
ent, the German people are appar-
emily unwilling to accept destruction
of their national unity and it's re-
placement by patchwork of regional
groupings similar to that of a CEN
tury ago when their forebears were
ruled by dozens Of greedy princes.
1t fellto the first convention of the
Christian Democratic Union, mid
dle-of- -the-road party with COM
manding lead in the political life Of
the nation, to protect against at
tempts "to turn back the clock of his
tory ;. and create group of states
in the service of certain interests"
Thunderous applause of the 600 dele
gates from nearly all parts of the
country added emphasis to that con-
demnation.
To accurately gauge the temper and
real feelings of present-day Germany,
one need only read excerpts from the
principal speeches of Jacob Kaiser
and Ernst Lemmer, chairman and
deputy chairman Of the party. Both
men have fought Hitlerism uncom-
promisingly and bravely. They opposed
appeasement was fashionable past
time and powerful groups abroad
were prepared to go along with Hitler
ism in the mistaken belief that it's
lust for conquest, violence and murder
could be bought off.
They were among the many who
paid for their democratic convictions
with persecution, torture, lingering
death and years of Imprisonment in
concentration camps. What kept them
going? 1t was faith, and faith alone,
in eternal justice and government of,
by and for the people. Now they see
that cause again sacrificed by men
whom they regard as friends and allies
in the worlds struggle for freedom
and human rights.
Party chairman Jacob Kaiser, an
anti-Hitlerite who lived underground
for many years, had this to say:
"Plans for federation Of Ger
man states have been advanced.
We are shocked by this news.
Can it really be true that any
body desires to turn back the
clock of history? Is it still de-
sired to produce state Of affairs
in which German states will be
played off against one another?
-. Such a development would
inevitably lead to constant dis
orders and perpetual unrest. =.
A two-chamber system, Reichs-
tag (national parliament) and a
Laendertag Estate parliament),
a healthy division of power and
authority can provide sufficient
guarantee for synthesis be-
tween individuality of the states
and the national unity of Ger
many"
Deputy chairman Ernst Lemmer
told the delegates:
eve distrust plans for a divi-
sion of Germany into some dozen
autonomous states There
can be only one nation and one
fatherland. If any one wants to
teach us democracy, he must also
listen to us. 1t would be extreme
ly regrettable if territorial pre-