The Omaha guide., 1955-10-28
Freedom Frustrated

Inmates of a refugee camp in West Germany scrawled these
words on their barracks: eve chose freedom-cOme in and see what
we got!'
An American journalist recently accepted their wry invitation.
Inside the barracks he found a crowd Of wretched men, women and
children wasting their lives in squalor, stencil and disease, provided
with barely enough food for survival. In talking to them he learn
ed that they were bitter, desparing, hopeless.
Unhapply that camp is not an exception. 1t is typical Of about
200 in Europe and the Near East, where tens of thousands who
"chose freedom"-often at the risk Of death-have received only
misery compounded by the passing of bleak years Some of the IN
fortunafes have been in camps for as long as nine years.
Hundreds Of thousands Of other fUsihves from Communism, out
side of The official camps, are no better off. They live in ruined
buildings, abandoned railway cars and rUdeiy converted crates.
Perhaps the most tragic among the unadusted escapes to our
side are the younger men and women, including defectors from the
Red Army occupation forces. They looked forward not only to per-
sonal freedom but to a choice Of active participation in a genuine
movement to lberate their native lands. With few exceptions they
have been deeply wounded by disilusionment.
1t was inevitable that sooner or later the soviets would take adj
vantage of this situation
Ever since the end of the war, MOSCOW has spared no energy to
abuse, terrorize and demoralze its runaway citizens. There have
been enough shocking instances Of kidnapping and even murder, to rob
the life of the refugee of a sense of safety.
But within the last year Moscow moved TO supplement terror
with doses of honey. 1t has launched a intensive campaign Of re-
detection, seared 70 lure fushives TO return home. The Soviet gov
ernment-so the story rvns-has been moved TO pity by the eondi-
ion OF IT'S Prodisai and daughters. Let them come home and
they will be welcomed with open arms
In East Germany, a Committee for Return to the Homeland"
has announced itself, allegedly composed Of refugees who had
changed their minds and redefected. ...
A newspaper put out by the Committee is reaching former Soviet
citizens all over the world, the United States included. Brothers and
sisters, it says, return and the motherland will welcome you. Even
those who are guilty before the motherland will be forgiven"
Many exiles have been receiving letters from relatives ~ self
evidently dictated by the Secret Poice-urging them to retrace their
steps. "We miss you and yearn for you," the missives declare.
"Please come back quickly to those who love you" The process Of
softeningup by propaganda is often followed by personal visits from
Soviet agents, who play on the victims inconsistencies and make rosy
promises. INN
Cynical and transparent though the redefecton drive may seem,
it is becoming increasingly effective. Hundreds have already re
turned behind the Iron Curtain, thousands seem of a mind to do the
same. In the refugee camps, the aforementioned journalist esi-
mated, about 25 per cent seem prepared to go back. They still hate
the Communist system and are full of foreboding as to what will
happen to them But their misery and hope1essness make them reck-
less and breed hopes in defiance of logic They are easy targets for
the Soviet manipulatorS.
Every fugitive who returns TO the Soviet prisonIand lis resound-
ing moral and political victory for Communism and, by the same
token, a great defeat for the free world. The growing success of the
kremlinss redefecfion campaign is the measure Of Western
bUngling in ths The free world has been politically
shortsshted and humanity caHoUs. 1t has not lived up to the duty
and fhe opportunity represented by those who chose freedom, On
fidenf Of our humane feelings and political common sense.
The United States has spent, and continues to spend, millions Of
dollars in radio broadcass and other activities intended to widen the
gap betweent the Soviet regimes and their subjects. The effects of
this investment are being cancelled out by the flow Of
returning and repentant fugtives.
Each of the returners seems a living refuaion of our claims
and the Soviets are past masters in making the most of this. There
have, of course, been some efforts by free governments and volun-
tay agencies to assist the hard-pressed fugitves from Communism.
But they have been inadequente, frequently nggardly, and as fire.
quently contricted with red tape
1t is late, but not too late, for massive counter measurers to off
set the redefection campaign. Those concerned with what is called
psychological warfare have no more excuse for ignoring the challenge.
Voluntary agencies such as the American Friends of Russian Free
dom, must be given larger means to conduct work among the escapes
that, within the narrow limits S yet possible, has proved effective.
This is at once a call TO humanity and a call 70 political wisdom.