Evening star., 1946-11-29

BERLIN, Nov. 9.--Prime necessity
for reviving Germany is stabilized
paonetary system.
Each of the four Allied powers
governing the country has It's own
occupation currency similar to Its
national currency-but the Germans
are not allowed to own any or re-
ceive any for labor or goods.
German currency, based on the
mark, has practically nothing be-
hind 1t to guarantee its value and
the people have little faith in it.
The owners of goods ordinarily for
sale. therefore, hesitate to part with
them unless they receive some-
thing tangible in return.
Because of this, Americans who
have a liberal allowance of ciga-
rettes and other goods are able to
exchange them for German articles
with great advantage, since ciga-
rettes and chocolate have an almost
fabulous value.
Little Incentive for Germans.
But many other factors tend to
pdrdlyZe CFdUt.
Germans have little incentive to
exert themselves fully, because the
two great motives for human prog
ress are lacking-hope OF reward
or fear of punishment
Laborers do work to obtain enough
marks to buy food, clothing and
other basic articles on their ration
cards. But, since the stores have
few articles which marks can buy,
there is little advantage in accum-
lating paper money.
The farmers could raise larger
crops. But they can get only in
adequate goods in return and in
consequence production is limited.
Even vegetables raised in small gar
dens do not belong solely to the
gardener They must be accounted
for and he only receives portion.
While some small industry is car
ried on in the cities, the articles
manufactured have no general mar
ket value. In most cases manufac-
turing is at barely more than 10 per
cent of prewar levels.
Basic Need Is Coal.
The basic need for all industry is
coal, and the Ruhr-from which
hard coal comes-was producing
only 40 per cent of its former capa-
city when the British banned its
export. The brown coal mines of
Silesia now are held by Poland. But
little comes to Germany, and then
only to the Russian zone.
Germany also needs coal for heat
ing purposes. German houses are
cold at this time of year and the
loW-caloric food allowance makes the
people especially susceptible to pull
monary diseases.
There can be no revival of in
dnstry in Germany until there is
a central civil government and Ger
man economy is restored. AS Amer
lean Secretary of State James F.
Byrnes intimated in his Stuttgart
speech, on the future well-being of
Germany will depend that of all
Europe.
Mr.. Byrnes also said that "the
United States is firmly of the belief
that Germany should be admin
istered as an economic unit" and
the Americans and British are pre-
pairing to remove all barriers be-
tween their zones. Mr. Byrnes in
vited all the powers to do this. And
Generalissimo Stain has stated that
mot only economic but political
unity of Germany is to be desired. +"
Only France is not committed to
unity.
Units of Zones Is Problem.
But the problem remains as to
how the four zones are to be united. |
At present the American zone is far
ahead of the others in holding elec-
tions and placing Germans in re-
sponsible positions. We are aiming
at German civil government, merely
supervised by American Army COM
manders. But our plan of govern
ment is based on our own institu-
items.
Thus the British expect a social
ized administration, while the Rus
slams desire a Communistic from of
administration in Germany.
In the American zone, as the Pots
dam agreement provided, local self
government soon viii be in full iop-
Grafton and our troops will assume
purely military functions. In the
British zone this will happen soon.
But we know little of what is go
ing on in the Russian zone. Tt Is
yet to be determined whether Stain
will let the Germans there have
elections, free from coercion and