Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-07-31

many cases, by direct military order
to the German land government
in the American zone, but it ha.
been United States policy to teaci
the Germans how to work out thei
own problems on the basis of dis
cussion and compromise.
THE Laenderrat has furnished ,
more lasting contribution in pro-
viding the training ground for tn,
assumption of governmental re.
|sponsibility within Democrat,
framework. 1t has strengthened thu
states and thus better prepared
them for their future indignation
into a German federal system"
Into this pattern on July / stepped
our new super state police system
the constabulary. In fast moving
teams, equipped with jeeps, armoree
cars and a few tanks, the 38,00(
youngsters in this command viii
follow regular patrols. Daily they
will call on and obtain reports from
Military Government units. com.
posed of both Army and American
civilian personnel, assigned to each
Kreis.
Hampered by Personnel Lack.
1t looks like an efficient system
but thus far is hampered by lack
of both military and civilian per.
sonnet to fill the detachments. The
conStabularly will have the most
modern radio equipment and expects
to be in a position by put down all
save major disturbances by we'll.
co-ordinated system of calling in
assistance from other units. The
present plan is to keep one fully
equipped tactical division to call
on in case of serious difficulties
which the regular constabulary can
not handle. There is some concern
over the youth of average constabu-
laryman, but with redeployment
now at lowest level army authorities
expect this to improve by re-en-
llstment of commissioned Off
GERS.
In Berlin spokesman for the
political division OF the Military
Government discussed some inter
estlng sidelights of the American
zone situation in comparison to the
British and Soviet. All of occupied
Germany has been cut up into q
Laender. In addition to the three
in the American zone, the French
have established five, the British
nine and the Russians five. The to.
tai OF %, in the view of some OF
the Americans, is little unwieldy
They favor larger units and think
the Russian policy is this respect
more approximates ours. There is
less Capitalization of German au.
thority in both the British and
French zones. The Americans are
trying to retain existing local pat.
terms Of government after wedding
out the Nazis. Insofar as possible
they have permitted the Germans
to re-establish local governmental,
customs.
Notions on Democracy Differ.
Gen. Clay's policy is to turn the
operation back to the Germans al
fast as they demonstrate the ability
to function. At present the Amer.
lean administration is being manned
by $500 persons compared to 2s.oot
employed by the British. The fig.
ures, Of course, do not include occu-
patton troops. While every effort is
being made to follow the same pat
tern In all the zones, the four DOW
ers have different notions on the
definition Of democracy.
1t is interesting to note that in
the flrst two elections in the Amer
lean zone II to IS per cent of the
qualified voters participated, much
more than the five-year average OF
the Weimar Republic. This dropped
somewhat in the last election on
June 80 and gave rise to the sug-
gestion that the Germans, who
were required to vote during the
Nazi regime, probably think the
Americans expect them, to follow
the same line.
Tomorrow: Governing Bavaria