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Military government weekly information bulletin
Number 57 (September 1946)
German reactions, pp. 24-25
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Page 25
world news such as the intensified struggle in Palestine, the Soviet note to Turkey con- cerning the Dardanelles and the possibility of civil war in China. The death of H. G. Wells was widely reported and some notice was given to -the anniversary of V-J Day. SPD Program The recent Social Democrat Party con- vention received wide play in Berlin news- papers, especially the -SPD organs. The "Socialdemocrat" listed the party's program in an appeal to Berliners for support. - The paper said the party first notes that there are two main tasks which must be realized: The securing of the material exis- tence of the Berliners and the securing of the rights of man for everyone. To gain these the party then lists the following demands: "The Berlin population stand steadfast against any attempt to surpress its newly gained political freedom... ''A proper holding of elections not influ- enced from any side... "The exclusion of all open- and hidden enemies of democracy from political ac- tivity ... "A Magistrat- based on the will of the majority of the population . . . A clear sep- aration between the powers of the forth- coming town council and the new Magistrat. "The setting up of a uniform economic plan for Berlin which guarantees full employment ... "Immediate measures to prevent all threats of existence, composed of inadequate housing conditions, insufficient food, poor clothing... "An equalization of the sharing of the hardships of the war... and a just punish- ment of those responsible for it.. "A free development of youth organ- izations ... "Social security for all people unable to work and aged persons... A stronger par- ticipation of women in public..' Noting that the fulfillment of these de- mands is dependent! to a high degree on the Allies, the party then requests the immediate cancellation of the sector boundaries, a uni- form supply plan, a more free and un- obstructed traffic with the other zones, security measures for personal liberty and assurance that everyone arrested for political reasons be brought before an Allied court in the shortest time possible, protection in the forthcoming voting campaign of free ex- pression of opinion, objective criticism, and safeguarding of the attitude of political parties. Critical of Constitution Discussing the proposed draft constitution for Bavaria, the Tagesspiegel noted that -paragraph 18 provides that the government of the state can request the public be ex- cluded from negotiations of the Land Par- liament. "This paragraph," declared the paper, "indicates fear of the public. It shouldn't be too easy for the government to exclude the public, for one day the govern- ment could misuse this paragraph. The fact that democracy means open criticism must be again and again stressed in Germany." The paper observed that paragraph 49 provides that if the people demand a plebis- cite on some subject the Land Parliament can take almost a year determining the details. "Is it wise," asked the paper, "to preserve a plebiscite in the frigidaire of parliamentary consideration for one year? . . . A plebiscite has no value if the parties and others can cripple it by delaying tactics." Regarding paragraph 92, the paper de- clared that one is truly astounded to read "a declaration on birth rate acceleration." The paper referred to sentences which state that' . . . children are the most valuable assets of a people" . . . "all girls will be trained at the expense of the state in their duties as mothers, above all taking care of infants, educating children and doing house- work." "Why must German girls be drilled in their mother duties by the state?" asked the paper, pointing out that one gets the im- pression that the German Bavarian girl has to fulfill a special mission in life. 25
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