762A.00/3–151: Telegram
The Acting Director of the Berlin Element of HIGOG (Jones) to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfurt1
confidential
Berlin, March 1,
1951—3 a. m.
1095. From Holt. EE’s tentative evaluation World Peace Council meeting Berlin February 21–26 follows:
- 1. Developments thoroughly in line with fundamental Communist peace movement mission of winning maximum number present and [Page 1998] potential allies, sympathizers and neutralists, not only for present Soviet programs in Germany, Korea, China but also for revolutionary expansion Soviet-Communist power everywhere, promoting ultimate goal of increasingly isolating US, as center anti-Communist power, for eventual show-down.
- 2. Meeting initiated “new phase” drive to extend diversify
worldwide regional and special-interest group organization and
propaganda appeal.
- a. Inaugurated new world-wide signature collection, demanding conclusion peace pact among five great powers, condemning as aggressor any power which refused to meet for purpose.
- b. Appointed delegation to UN to demand UN consider world peace movement resolutions and revert to “charter role” as peace maintenance organization. (Ourtel February 26 to Frankfort 1221 repeated Department 1083, Bonn 278; pouched London, Paris, Moscow2).
- c. During next 3 months planned international meetings for discussion regional problems: German problem in countries “threatened by German remilitarization,” in India for Asiatic problem; in Africa for colonial peoples, in Latin America for problems western hemisphere. Also planned international congresses of interest groups (cultural and youth) of all nationalities and ideologies in world capitals. Also East-West problems (reduction living standard occasioned by rearmament) perhaps in USSR (ourtel February 27, to Frankfort 1224 repeated Department 1086, Bonn 279; pouched London, Paris, Moscow.2)
- d. Planned to cultivate contacts and cooperation numerous organizations (potential allies), including world citizens, Quakers, churches, neutrality and pacifist movements.
- e. Proposed that secretariat set up information office to collect “objective documentary proof” to fight misrepresentative and false reports designed to promote war psychosis. Each national committee to organize boycott and protest actions against all war propaganda and preparations, (ourtel 1224).
- f. Resolve to promote plebiscite in West Germany against remilitarization and/or peace treaty in 1951 (ourtel February 28, Frankfort 1229 Department 1090, Bonn 281; pouched London, Paris, Moscow.2)
- 3. Emphasis throughout on closer international ties, broader appeal to masses extension organized activity among masses matched by elaborate administrative machinery to spark popular activity.
- 4. Propaganda appeal added to general fear of war and atom bomb (Stockholm appeal) appeal to fear resurgence German and Japanese militarism, to long-established pacifist and neutrality sentiment, and “initiate of church”.
- 5. Apparent aim is to utilize greatest common denominator appeal, minimized differences, emphasize accidental points of contact, foster cooperation among diverse political, social, and religious groups and [Page 1999] classes, including those which accept only parts of entire “peace” program. By involving masses in manifold activities apparent purpose is to bind their action and blind them to basic issues and Soviet motives. Presumable effect would be to neutralize masses in potential defense against Communism even drawing them imperceptibly into active support Soviet measures through “political experience”. Foregoing to serve likewise to isolate governments from people in preparation for revolutionary movements. At same time, through slogans such as “men, not weapons, speak” and “war not inevitable” together with charges west remilitarizing Germany and Japan, purveying sense to “masses” of security in own action, which, backed by peace efforts of USSR, could block catastrophic war intentions of US.
- 6. More immediate programs stressed by Peace Council includes (a) East–West talks on all levels particularly on five-power basis on any terms; (b) prevention or delay West German Japanese remilitarization (c) pressure on UN to admit Red China, retract condemnation Red China aggressor.
- 7. Interesting were: (a) Nenni’s forecast as “most probable” “long period without peace, without war, which will provide fertile ground for all political and social adventurers, including Fascist and Nazi types;” (b) emphasis on exploitation in every way of economic discontent coincidental with rearmament; (c) most severe indictment of USA by Dean of Canterbury, Rev. Darr USA, and Metropolitan Nicolai of Krutizy and Kolomna.
- 8. Transformation of angry indictment and implied threat to supersede UN into recognition and mild admonition of UN seems indicate attempt develop opposition to UN and support Peace Council for possible future secession but avoid all disagreements now which might estrange potential friends.
- 9. Whether truly reflecting Soviet intentions impossible to tell but meeting suggested Communist confidence in achievement long-range “peace movement” objectives through patient exploitation colonial, nationalist, and particularly economic grievances and war fears. Sense of war imminence lacking, despite emphasis in meeting on Western war aims and immediate necessity blocking West German and Japanese remilitarization.
- 10. Of particular German interest, beside plebiscite promotion, was scheduling first European worker’s conference againt German remilitarization in Berlin March 23–25 (ourtel February 24, Frankfort 1216 repeated Department 1078, Bonn 276 [277]; pouched London, Paris, Moscow3).
[
Holt
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Jones