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German Reactions

A FREE PRESS and the Future

[[image - engraving of men standing on a corner]]

TO THE discerning American visitor in Germany before September 1939 no feature of the life there seemed more fateful than the deadly and deadening uniformity of propagandistic opinion (and no other) which the press throughout the country revealed.  To that same American today, who may be rightfully plagued with doubts as to whether the Germans can really be "changed" or develop an abiding faith in democratic processes, no feature on the German scene augurs more hope for the propagation of a democratic spirit than the budding forth of a new press functioning as a medium for the expression of free opinion.  One cannot overestimate the importance for the future of the firm establishment of a free press in Germany, new impetus toward which was provided by the Marburg conference of German newspapermen recently arranged by the Information Control Division.  The following comments that appeared in the Frankfurter Rundschau show a clear realization on the part of this newspaper of the great import of the conference. 

"When eventually some one writes the history of the young German press which was established after the collapse of national socialism, the first conference of publishers and editors of all licensed newspapers in the American-occupied zone will be evaluated as an important contribution to the founding of the new Democracy.

"For over twelve years no meeting took place in all Germany at which German men and women were able to consider public problems with such freedom, and to make important decisions.  No compulsion was exercised on the 45 representatives (of German press) to influence the decision on any question.  It is important to know that.  Only when one does know it can one judge what the present position of the German press is and what it will be in the future.  It (i.e., the press), can tell in it columns, to all concerned, what path must be followed, what limitations must disappear, what liberties are to be granted, and what oppositional forces must be banned, in order to clear the way for Democracy.

"All Germans must realize what that means.  When they, too, are willing to follow these rules -- be they cabinet ministers, mayors, Regierungs-presidents, Landrate, or party leaders -- then we shall be on the right road.  And if German men and women, wherever they gather to work in common, to hold consultation, to make decisions, are imbued with the same spirit, then we shall have Democracy.  Then the dynamic forces will be released which will lead to our not contenting ourselves merely with democratic forms but filling them with content.  In other words, we will take up all the necessary reforms which can lead to the reconstruction of our whole social and economic life, and to a new order.  Some may call it solidarty, others, Socialism, and still others, Communism -- the

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