Evening star., 1949-03-26
Plan 10 'NeutraIize'
Germany Seen Move
Toward Soviet Rule
Head of 'Nouheim' Group
Proposing Scheme Has
Link With Soviet Union
By Dorothy Thompson

as put forth by the "Nauheim"
group, composed of young Ger
mans (and many former Nazis)
will sound attractive to some
Americans, anxious to wash their
hands of Germany.
But under existing circum-
stances it is impossible. The
theory that, by declaring her neu-
trality, backed in this by the four
powers, Germany would find Sc
:urity is impossible and Soviet sup
port for it purely tactical.
German neutrality is geographic
cally impossible. Switzerland
alone, in Europe, because of her
strategical position. may safely
risk independent neutrality. She
is a natural fortress further
strengthened through the Gott-
hard and Simplon Passes into the
strongest fortress of all times, and
able to blow up, at will, the main
European communications.
Germany Is Wide Open.
Germany, disarmed, is wide open
on the Eastern plains. In case of
war she could only be defended
from outside the country, by either
the West or the East. But the
East would defend Germany only
to attach it to the Soviet domain,
Therefore, Germany's only hope
militarily is to throw herself
wholeheartedly with the West, and
to share every moral. economic,
and political obligation arising
from that association. This de-
mands an amalgamated Europe,
which is, in fact, the only hope
for peace-Europe whose unity
and freedom, supported by the
United States, offers no temptation
to aggressors from Eurasia.
But the neutrality device suits
Soviet schemes. Championed by
the Nauheimers. under the titular
guidance of Prof Noack of Wuerz-
burg University, it gives the Krem-
lin another hand in Western Ger
man affairs, appealing to national
independence instead of to COM
munism. Should the Nauheim
movement spread and succeed.
Western Germany would be open
to Soviet penetration, for "neu-
trail Germany could only sWerve
eastward because from the East
would come her constant threat
and her only illusion of safety.
This illusion is fostered by what
appear to be Western defense
plans. The Germans are being
told that in case of war the Rhine
will be defended and Western
Germany be a glacis to be aban-
doned. This injuries the West
ern orientation because in such
q case Germany would be taken,
even if temporarily, by the Soviets,
and every Western minded official
would be a candidate for the gal
lows.
Neutrality" Is Device.
OF the Kremlin's determination
to attach Germany to the Soviet
sphere, there is no question what
ever. Neutrality" is merely a.
device to this end. And should
the Russians succeed. the West is
finished.
The figure of Herr Nadolny,
former German ambassador to-
Moscow, has appropriately come
to the front again. A man no
torious for his confused visions,
his son, a prisoner of war. is held
as hostage by the Russians. He
has moved into Western Germany
propagandizing for neutral and
united German state, and-glv-
ing away the truth-advocating
"back to Rapallo" policy. IRA
pallo was the German-Russian
treaty concluded in 1929
The most acute German politi-
cal minds know precisely the score.
But the propaganda must not be
discounted for its effect on the
German people.
And we should anticipate that
Vishinsky may try to sell the neu-
trality idea to the West by direct.
secret, diplomatic negotiation,
plus further disruptive pressures.
tReleased by the Bell Syndicate, 1nc)