Evening star., 1946-11-26
Letters to The Star
Potsdan Declaration Criticized

1t seems TODAY that de1nlte treaty
Of peace for Germany, vitality impor-
tant to the restoration Of a function
ing European economy, is yet long
distance in the future. While waiting
for her conquerors to write the terms
of her future existence the life and
industry OF Germany are regulated and
planned for by the Potsdam Declara-
ton of August 2,<1945.
This declaration-em embodying the ma
jor points of Chiefs of Staff document
1867, the notorious Morgenthau plan
partly Is promised on the fantastic as
sumption that the geographic and eco
nonic heart Of Europe can be re-
duced to the status Of q deindustrial-
lied, agricultural nation without hav-
ing effects beyond its own boundaries.
It makes the error OF treating the Ger
many Of today, country with no form
OF government at all, as though 1t still
were the Nazi zi-controlled Germany OF
yesterday; as though the bonlb-bat-
tered, chaoticaliy divided wreck Of q
once proud nation still were threat
to the peace Of the world.
In ordering the forced evacuation OF
thousands Of Sudetenland German
families, often on but a few hours no.
tice, the Potsdam Declaration, which
is fundamentally American in origin,
indorses the wholly un-American
theory of racial guilt. A similarly lln-
American, inhuman aspect of the Pots
dam Declaration is its condemnation
of seven and half million Germans
to unemployment and likely starvation
merely by failing to plan for them
when apportioning out various sources
Of livelihood.
The few positive provisions made at
Potsdam have not been carried out;
the process OF economic unification
scarcely has begun; German exports to
pay for food imports have not been de-
veloped In the least (this means, in
effect, that we are paying reparations
to Germany; and political and press
freedom exist to q limited degree only
In the western zone and OF course not
at all under the Russians.
Principally motivated. 1t is to be
feared, by spirit of revenge, the writ
ers of the Potsdam policies had but
one dual objective-to crush the German
nation forever and to punish the Ger
man people. Quite aside from the fact
that vengeance is not ours. such a
policy cannot be applied without hav-
ing terrible economic repercussions
throughout Europe. The opinion of
Dutch Prime Minister ~Schemerhorn
that the deindustrialization of Ger
many will be disastrous" for his coun-
try Is not unique one, and to disrupt
what little economic organization there
is left in Europe Is further to enrich
the soil for the growth of totalitarian
communism-no improvement over the
Naziism which SO many died to defeat.
Such arguments and objections as
have here been briefly mentioned easily
can be expanded. Analyzed from any
point of view-p political. economic or
moral-tfe Potsdam Declaration is seen
to be short-sighted, economically un-
sound, revengeful document from which
no good can spring. The German peace
treaty never must be constructed on
any such basis. Before writing treaty
the powers signatory to the Potsdam
Declaration oficially must refute it, its
applications and the principles, or lack
of same, which underlie them.
ANTHONY j. MORLEY.
Chest Agencies Appeal
To the Editor Of The Star:
When The Star on November %
brought to our attention the Presidents
comments on juvenile delinquency and
its dangers and other reports on the
same subject, alongside pleadings to
prevent the possible failure OF the Com
munity Chest campaign, it was clear
that these subjects are closely inter-
woven.
Upon the Community Chest depend
many organizations which form our
strongest line OF defense against juve-
nile delinquency. Delinquency Is ram
pant for a number of reasons: Parents
are employed or unable to cope with
their problems, homes inevitably are too
small for recreational opportunities, and
the street with its temptations exposes
our boys and girls to what begins in
mischief and sometimes ends in crime.
What better barrier can we oppose
to this oncoming tide of delinquency
than the Settlement House? How better
can the public help toward opposing this
menace than by giving to the Commu-
nifty Chest which in turn supports such
organizations? The Christ Child So
ciety began settlement work in 1902
when small group of citizens recog-
nized the need; and in 1929, through
the efforts of its members, built its large
Settlement House at 608 Massachusetts
avenue. NE, with standard gymna-
sum-
With the founding of the Community
| Chest the society became member
agency and under the Chest has been
able to develop and expand its program
At Christ Child House hundreds OF
bows and girls find wholesome recreation
under trained supervision and right
principles OF conduct are instilled. Boys
in competitive sports learn fair play and
cooperation with Others and girls are
taught cooking, sewing, handcraft and
| other useful arts Mothers clubs are
| held where today's problems are
threshed out under the guidance OF
| trained workers.
All such work, which has been likened
to lightning rods over a storm -centered
| city, will fail without the support OF the
Chest Members Of the Christ Child
Society give their devoted care to this
work but neither labor nor devotion to
this cause will avail if the proper sup
port for the Christ Child Settlement and