Background to Berlin

He said that information sources were very restricted, and on doing research into the whole question of Berlin, this left him amazed and rather afraid.

Mr Einhorn who is Jewish, went to school in Berlin and stayed there until 1938, when he had to leave, as a victim of Nazi persecution.

"After the First World War and the spreading imperialistic government in Germany, it was hoped that the Prussian militaristic sprit would change," said Mr Einhorn. "It did to some extent but it was only natural that many, especially the older people, kept the ideas they had been brought up with."

Mr Einhorn stated that while he was at school there was a very definite spirit of anti-Semitism: this was encouraged among the children by the teachers.

Anti-Semitism according to Mr Einhorn was not a product of Nazism but was deeply ingrained in the people, especially those belonging to the middle classes. "There was animosity towards other nations as well," he said. "France was an example."

Mr Einhorn used the almost. compulsory membership in Combatants' Clubs while at University, and the necessity of engagement in duels to ilIustrate the attitude of the nation.

"The economic crisis of 1920 in Germany." said Mr Einhorn, "produced a sharpening of the political scene, with the subsequent emergence of a new political party—the National Socialist Party—Hitler's Party." This Party was supported by many, absorbed other parties and grottos which were strongly against Liberalism in any form. Support came also from the oat houses of industry. They supplied money and ideas. At that time most of the high military posts were held by members of these families.

Mr Einhorn then spoke on the effects of the Second World War. He said that, as after the First World War, a new economy had to be built, up and a new government had to be formed. There were no party groups with whom the Allies could have negotiated, there was no form of Underground Movement, as in France, to provide the backbone of a Government. A few Social Democrats who had ' been released from concentration camps were all that was available, and so to some extent old members of the Nazi party had to be used. Only they had the necessary knowledge to run the country. Mr Einhorn stated that in West Germany now very high positions are held by former members of the Nazi Party.

Speaking on the present situation Mr Einhorn said that it is an off-shoot of the Berlin Blockade of 1948.

To get a clear picture of the events leading to this he described the cutting up of Germany into four zones of administration; how disagreement arose between Russia and the Western Dowers, leading to a postponement of the peace treaty with Germany. Mr Einhorn believes that these disagreements were almost inevitable, considering the diametrically opposed economic systems of the two forces.

"Which side is to blame for the first breach of the agreement," said Mr Einhorn. "is not known." "What finally brought matters to a head was the Berlin Blockade, and what is happening today is almost an exact repetition of that." said. Mr Einhorn.

After the war an agreement had been made, between the Powers, that a new economy should be built up under a unified German government, with certain provisos. These conditions included abolition.' of Nazism, and control of industry, 'with the breaking up of the industrial empires.

These were mainly in the Western zone and Russia accused the West of abandoning these conditions, and allowing the industrial empires to be rebuilt. (Mr Einhorn referred referred the meeting to recent articles in the Evening Post.)

All four Powers were alike in one thought," said Mr Einhorn, "that of introducing a new currency."

According to Mr Einhorn the West suddenly introduced a new currency, at which Russia protested vigorously saying it was "dangerous for the economy of the Soviet zone." Russia said that it would be necessary for economic safety to close the border.

"The same situation is still going on," said Mr Einhorn.

—J.W.