Evening star., 1947-05-17
us. Britain Reported
lnAgTeemeni Reich
Economic Parliament
" ths A.sosieisd Press

~ tts Assceioied Press
BERLIN, May I7.-Authoritative
sources said last night that Britain
and the United States had reached
agreement IN principle to set up O.
German economic parliament" to-
administer the economy OF their two
zones along Federal lines
The same plan includes creation.
of central executive committee
composed OF q representative from
each German state to issue direc-
tives decided on by the parliament"
and receive reports from agencies
on application of the measures.
Observers saw in the two bodies
the flrst outlines Of q possible future.
"federalized" government for Ger.
many, which both Britain and the
United States proposed at the Mos
COW Foreign Ministers Conference,
but which Russia rejected.
Compromise Worked Out.
Informants said the agreement
was accepted by British Foreign
Secretary Bevin after compromises
had been worked out between Gen,
Lucius D. Clay, American cons
mander In Germany, and Gen. Sir
Brian Robertson, British deputy
commander.
The plan was said to call for the
German states in the two zones to-
delegate legislative and executive
power over such matters as ration-
ing and allotment of raw materials
to bi-zonal executive committees
and q parliament to be called tho
Economic Council.
The states. would be committed by
laws now under consideration to
carry out the bi-zonal orders.
Details OF the powers Of the eco-
nomic council have not yet been
worked out. Neither have details of
Its organization, but one plan calls
for 1t to be composed Of delegates
appointed by the German states
on a basis Of population.
Death Penalty Threatened.
Meanwhile new developments oc-.
CURED In Germany's food crisis.
The American military governor Of
Hesse told the German people last
night that the death penalty will
be invoked II necessary to curb dis
turbanceS stemming from protests
over the shortage of food. E
In the sternest language since the
end of the war, DR.. James r. New
man warned the German people in
an address prepared for radio dee
livery that he was ready to use
American occupation troops to-
search all places and seize and con-
fscate all food stuffs" If food hoard
ing continued.
He said he would implement q
German program of mo work-no
rations" for parasites and loafers."
DR.. Newman deleted from his pre-
pared text q statement that he
might invoke complete martial law
unless the attitude Of the people
improves" but he asserted fatty
that any German acting against
"occupational requirement or pro.
grams" would risk q death sentence.
There will be no strikes in Hesse,.
nor will there be any tolerance OF
any other agitations against tho
policies Of military government
whether the purpose Is political or
otherwise, which in any way impeed
or tend to impede the occupational
or programs, he said.
Blames Germans for Plight.
"Any person or group of persons
so acting or doing will be punished,
and remember that under the laws
relating to occupation armies and
military government. the supreme
penalty can be imposed against off,
tenders"
Although promising that the
United States Is rushing food Ship
ments to their relief, DR.. Newman
told the Germans that they them
selves-because of the war they
started-were responsible for their
own plight. =.
II must remind you that there is
no obligation, absolutely none, upon
the United States to engage in g.
of feeding the country It,
defeated" he said. 20
Never before in all history has
a conquering army set about to
feed the people it conquered. This
is putting 1t bluntly, but think Of all
this before you indulge too freely
In self pity and before you con-.
denim or impede the only program
which is generously offered to aid
voiI ~