Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-02
Red Withdrawal From Germany?

It is interesting and conceivably signih-
cant, that Berlin is once again hearing runnors
about the possibility that the Soviet Union
may soon launch great new propaganda
maneuver by announcing plans to withdraw all
its troops from East Germany.
The last time such rumors were in cur
rency was back in 1913 at the height of the
Kremlin's infamous blockade Of Berlin, when
the German Communist press Joined in sug-
costing that the idea was based on solid fact,
not empty fancy. AS things turned out Of
course, the whole business proved to be phony,
and its revival now probably adds up to little
more than having fun with the gullible.
Even so, no matter how ill-founded they
may be, the rumors have just enough plausi-
bility in them to merit attention. What they
say is that the Russians are planning to an
nounce in May that the entire Red Army in
East Germany-an army made up OF about
100000 men-will be pulled out of the country
on June / and returned to the Soviet Union.
Further, again according to the rumors, this
sensational announcement is to be accompanied
by demands from the Kremlin that France,
Britain and the United States withdraw also
and let the partitioned German people reunite
without delay under single overall govern
ment In single nation whose border with
Poland would be permanently fixed along the
line of the Oder and Neisse Rivers.
Although all this may be as fanciful as the
same story in 1913, there Is no certainty that
some such project is not in the making. The
signs at the moment indicate otherwise, but
it is not altogether unthinkable that the Krem
lin may be planning to resort. to the rumored
maneuver in order, among other things to
spread confusion throughout the Atlantic COM
munity, block West German participation in the
projected six-nation European army, and place
France, Britain and the United States on
somewhat embarrassing propaganda defensive
for continuing their occupation despite COM
plete Soviet withdrawal. Quite obviously,
spectacular stroke of this kind could be of
worldwide value to the Russians in posing as
champions of peace willingly handing back
East Germany to the German people.
Accordingly, improbable as the rumored
move may SEEM the Western powers ought to
be prepared to counter it effectively. Above
everything they should be prepared to show
that Russian withdrawal as in the case Of
North Korea, would leave behind in East
Germany a formidable native Communist army
and Stooge government. They should be
prepared to show, further, that in such cir
cumstances the Kremlin would be in position
to take over the whole country II France,
Britain and the United States pulled out their
forces without first establishing adequate mill
tary and political safeguards against another
Red coup of the Czech type.
OF course, regardless Of what the Russians
may or may not do, the safety of our own
country and all of free Europe will stil require
the continued presence Of Anglo-French- Ameri-
can troops in Germany. This will hold true
until the Atlantic alliance completes its de-
fensive build-up and West German military
strength balances that of the East German
Communists in such way that the partitioned
land can be unified with genuinely free cleo
lions and a peace settlement insuring its
independence.
Certainly until these conditions are met, a
Soviet withdrawal-real or rumored-win not
relieve France Britain and the United States
of the need to keep armed forces stationed
in West Germany. It is an imperative need
that can be ignored only at the risk Of handing
a great victory to the Kremlin.