Evening star., 1946-07-21

LONDON.-A year OF postwar elec-
tions has widened the political gulf
between Eastern and Western Europe.
The increasing division is apparent in
Associated Press reports from all parts
of Europe where voters have expressed
their sometimes varying concepts OF
democracy.
In Eastern Europe, where Soviet In
fluence is unchallenged, Communist
dominated fronts are in power from
Poland to Albania.
Each government insists it Is demo-
cratic although, In some instances, op-
position has been sternly curtalled.
Government critics frequently are la
beled FaScists.
In Western Europe, elections have
shown a definite increase in Socialism,
but also a resurgence of a strong Catho-
lie center.
Indeed, political opposition has been
so effective in Western Europe that most
countries have no majority party, thus
evolving coalition governments IN
which Catholics and middle -of-the-
road groups have taken leading, parts.
Anxious Over Russia.
While the number of Communist votes
has increased in the west, political
leaders say frankly that significant
portion of center and right wing
strength is the reflection OF voter
anxiety about Russian encroachments.
Only one real bridge exists between
east and west, other than the PROSTATE
remains of Germany. That is Czecho-
slovakia, whose leaders frequently have
declared their desire to be link be-
tween the western democracies and
Moscow.
Czechoslovakian voters gave clear
majority to the Communist party In
an election, indicating public approval
of the provisional governments ma
tionalization of industries, socialist ser
vices, and expulsion of Germans and
Hungarians.
Polands first postwar elections still
are to be held, but the recent referen-
dunn on a unicameral Parliament ana
naturalization of basic industries gave
no encouragement of peaceful express
sion of popular will. Stanislaw Mlko-
laczvk, Vice Premier and leader of the
Peasant party, openly charged fraud
IN ballot counting. Prior to the refer
endum he had complained repeatedly
of mass arrests and suppression OF his
opposition party.
Romanian Situation Uncertain.
In Romania Communist and govern
ment hostility to opposition electoral
meetings has been in evidence.
Romanian Premier Groza has promised
elections "by September" and King
Nichai signed decree setting the date
in September or early october, but op-
position parties are undecided whether
to participate.
In Hungary, where the conservative
Stockholders party won a plurality In
last falls elections, steadily increasing
Soviet dissatisfaction has been indicated.
1t. Gen. Sviridov, Russian commander,
recently suppressed three Catholic youth
organizations as "pro-Fascist," and de-
manded withdrawal of immunity for two
members of Parliament whom he ac-
cused of "anti-Soviet political agitation. ;"
Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania have
gone all out for the Soviet-pattern
popular front" or 'fatherland front"
political system. Communists claim this
is "true democracy" since political diff
ferences are settled within the party
and q single slate of candidates is offered
to the electorate.
Austria swung to the right in elections
last autumn, giving a clear majority In
parliament to the conservative peoples
party. Austria's traditional distaste for
communism was strengthened by Rus
sian action in seizing all German
external assets" in the Soviet zone of
occupation. Austrians claim many of
these were taken forcibly from Austrian
business firms by the Nazis and are not
subject to reparations
Italy Against Communism.
italian elections June 2 ousted the
House of Savoy and approved a republic
At the same time Catholic centrist
strength became evident with Christian
Democrats winning 207 of 536 Assembly
seats, while Socialists took lis and Com
munists 105. The middle of-the-road
plurality assured that agricultural and
industrial reforms would be moderate.
French elections June brought
similar Catholic-supported trend against
the extreme left. The effect of the cleo
tions, however, will be scant due to the
temporary character of the Bidault
government which already is dubbed