Evening star., 1952-05-28
The Threatening Reds

The Kremlin and its East German puppets
have reacted as expected, with typical sledge-
hammer subtlety to the signing of the Bonn peace
contract and the related Paris treaty on the
European Defense Community and its interna-
tionalized six-nation army. It is a reaction that
leaves practically no room for doubt that tensions
in and around Germany are going to increase
markedly in the weeks Immediately ahead. The
Red bludgeon is out and swinging enough so
to justify forecasts of jittery and stormy
summer.
Thus to begin with, Russias German stooges
have cut telephone and telegraph lines between
East and West Berlin and between West Berlin
and West Germany. At the same time, amid
rumors Of growing Soviet military strength at
several frontier points, the Communist regime
has frightened up the zonal border against Anglo
French American "spies, saboteurs and agents"
In addition it has ostentatiously intimated that
this particular iron curtain will be made much
more iron unless France, Britain and the United
States respond favorably to the Kremlin's latest
note demanding an immediate four-power con-
ference on holding "free elections" and unifying
the partitioned country.
The Russian occupiers, for their part, have
moved to impose new controls on interzonal
travel and have again barred Allied military
patrols from West Berlin's only highway link
~.
yet been no interference with normal passenger
and freight traffic, but no effort has been spared
to suggest that such interference may be ordered
at any moment to renew the infamous Red block
ade of 1948-49. For example, Gerhard Eisler, the
noisy and noisome East German propaganda
chief, has warned the non-Soviet part Of the city
that measures" will be taken to make it suffer
difficulties" unless it breaks off its relations with
Chancellor Adenauer's federal government Fur
ther, referring to the peace contract, this repul-
sive little atheist Ga bail jumping perjurng fugi-
tive from the United .States) has squeaked out
the following: MAY God have mercy on those
who raise their hands for this war pact in the
Bonn Parliament crude threat that physical
vengeance will be visited upon anybody who votes
for ratification.
Quite obviously, the East German regime has
received its orders to speak ominously, to resort
to bullying tactics, to promote an atmosphere of
fear and in general to wage all-out psychological
warfare in an effort to frighten Bonn and Paris
into refusing to ratify the peace contract and
defense treaty. To stimulate this campaign, the
Kremlin speaking through front-page editorial
in Pravda and echoing parts of its new note to
the Western Big Three, has promised to give
sympathy and support" to all Germans who take
matters in their own hands and fight against
the two measures as "a military alliance" aimed
at making them cannon fodder" in new war
being prepared by American imperialists" and
the aggressive North Atlantic bloc"
Coupled with other Red words and actions
Pravda's remarks tend to be an incitement to
civil strife of kind that could lead to a German
Korea Maybe the whole business will not go be-
yond the bounds of stepped-up nerve warfare
but that is something that remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, whatever they may be plotting, the
men Of the Kremlin would do well to take at face
value the solemn Anglo French American warm
ing that has Just been issued in Paris. That
warning means what it says: The Big Three win
regard Communist attack on Berlin, West Ger
many or any part Of free Europe as a threat to
themselves to be dealt with accordingly. /.