Evening star., 1947-12-13

per cent. AS result current repar.
alton deliveries would be carried out
and, Furthermore, the Germans
themselves will get almost twice
as much industrial production.
And yet efforts should be made to
achieve q level Of German industry
even higher than TO per cent of the
1883 level. 1t is only a matter of
clearing the way and of making it
possible for German industry just
TO make q start, under four-poWer
control, Of course; then it will be
easy to solve the problem of allo-
eating a part of industrial produc-
ton for reparation deliveries and
at the same time to meet more fully
the needs Of the German people
while the possibility of exporting
German commodities to other coun-
tries will be increased.
Neither should it be forgotten that
In certain period of time repara-
tons will have been paid by the
Germans and then the whole in
dustrial output will remain in their
own hands and their industry will
also have gathered considerable
strength. If this attitude toward
German industry is adopted any
suggestion that current reparation
deliveries will lower the standard of
living of the German people will
become groundless and will serve
only to obscure the real state of
affairs.
The Soviet Union considers that
the only correct policy is one which
makes a positive approach to the
problem of the rehabilitation of
peaceful German industry. There
can be no doubt that this progress
sive policy will meet with due sup
port from the German people also.
Suggests Industry Is Retarded.
Another policy is to retard the
rehabilitation of German industry
to prevent the Germans from re-
storing the production of machines,
clothing, footwear, foodstuffs, the
chemical industry and other
branches of peaceful industry. This
policy facilitates, of course, the sale
OF foreign commodities in Germany,
but 1t rests on an unsound basis.
It the restoration of German in
dustry is hindered for fear that 1t
would become competitor of Ger
tain American, British and French
industrial monopolies then, Of
course, its restoration will be further
retarded and obstacles will be put
in th6 way to prevent 1t from re-
covering and from getting back on
its feet. But such a policy is not
only at variance with the interests
of the German people but also with
the interests Of other European ma
tions. 1t will inevitably end In fall
ure and will discredit those who
carry out such q reaetionary policy.
What are the resultse Countries
which suffered from German ag-
gression were promised reparation
through the delivery of surplus Ger
man equipment. In fact, however,
these deliveries have been reduced
to nothing,
Much Equipment Idle.
On the other hand, no conditions
are being created for the efficient
use Of an enormous amount of
equipment existing in German in
dustry. AS result of this the
equipment of many German plants
has been standing idle for over two
and a half years; it is not being
repaired, it is deteriorating and
being ruined.
The overwhelming majority OF
German plants are unable to begin
normal production in spite of the
efforts OF many manufacturers,
while workers, technicians and engi-
neers are unable to obtain work they
want.
Only individual industrial monop-
olistS with appropriate foreign con-
nections received support from the
occupation authorities in the West
tern zones of Germany. This can
not go on much longer. The policy
of hindering German industry must
be abandoned. Then only will nee
essary restoration of economic life
IN the Western part of Germany
begin and the living standard of the
German population rise. Mention
is frequently made here of the lin
tied amount of reparations which
the Soviet Union is receiving in
order to make good at least a small
part OF the damages caused to the
Soviet people by the German occupa-
ton. But the hidden reparation and
economic privileges which the Brit
ish, American and French authori-
ties through industrialists and banks
receive in the Western zones are
usually passed over in silence. JUS
tice requires, however, that we
should not forget this.
| have already had occasion to
speak about the coal industry. Un-
til recently coal was bought at cheap
rates from the Ruhr In the British
zone ana exported to other eoun-
tries. The British authorities who
acted as Intermediates in these
transactions received enormous
profits.
Timber Not Reparations.
The same thing is happening in
respect to the export of timber.
Hundreds of millions of dollars have
already been earned in these opera
tons. But this is not called repara-
tions. In fact, however, this is in no
way different from reparatiofs, but
nobody is demanding that an &C
count be given of these reparations.
Foreign bankers and industrialists
are now taking yet another advan-
tage of the difficult position of the
German industrialists. Many enter |
prises and whole concerns are being
bought up from German industrial
lists at low prices. American and
British capital is penetrating into
German industry on a wide scale
and without control; it is already
having its own way in the coal. iron
and steel, chemical and other in
duStries.
The enormous profits thus made
are going to various foreigners who
are having a stroke of luck, If I may
so express myself. The longer the
present stagnation of German in
dustry in the western zones lasts the
easier will 1t be for foreign owners
to buy up German enterprises and
! L.