GERMAN IRON CURTAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 13 March 1948, Page 5

GERMAN IRON CURTAIN

' (N.Z.P.A

.—Reuter

Russia To Tighten Grip On Eastern Zone

, CovyrUiht)

Reeeived Fridav, 5.50 p.m'."LONDON, March 12. ' ' The creation by the /Russians o.f a Central Eeonomie Oommission to supervise tlie whole of their eastern zone oi Germany is new 'eviden.ee that' the rioviet Government 'expeets the paftiLion of Gefmanv to last, " says Tke; Times in a leader. "Hitherto th'e; ioviet nuthorities in Eastern Germany -iave issued orders to 18 eeonomie de-' partments in Berlin whieh have passed them on to the five provincial govern-; inents. ' '"These departiuonts are now plaeed iindef the direet administration of the Central Eeonomie Commission whieh in; ontrast with its Anglo-American eounterpart in Frankfurt has farreaeh.ng authority ' over provincial adminisvratioiis and greater power to aet. " Wherqas the Western allies have preferred to base their liopes of demoratie weeovery 011 a lively nnd dvnamic .levelopmeut within the diiferent prov'inees of their zones the Russians have aot hesitated to impose upon their zone .heir own mentality and outlook. ' ' Xo doubt, ' ' Tl*e Times adds, ' they >vill hold their eeouoinie eommission in .-oadiness to becouie a 1'ully-fiedged governinent if and when they think this -> ui lu-.ng them advantage. The parti .ion of Germany is almost an aeeom plished faet:"