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confined and the German people, through their Law for Political Liberation,
are cleansing this element from their own society. War plants and war instal-
lations lhave been destroyed and heavy industrial plants have been selected
for reparation purposes. Nazi property has been seized and the huge industrial
combines which made war possible no longer are in operation.
While these essential destructive measures have been undertaken firmly
and with determination, you have also placed in motion the first initial
steps
toward a democratic Germany. Free elections have been held throughout the
U. S. Zone. Three Land governments with German personnel have 'been
established and are now functioning with reasonable effectiveness. Coordi-
nation is obtained among these Laender through the Laenderrat at Stuttgart.
Thus, major responsibilities of government have been restored to the German
people although still subject to the close supervision of Military 'Government.
A free press and a free radio are being reestablished, and while censorship
after the fact necessarily remains, this censorship does not apply to German
affairs. Trade Bunions and political parties have developed with new and
more
liberal leadershib.
In the Allied Control Council, Military Government has learned much from
its relationship with the three other occupying powers. While 'there still
remains a field of disagreement with respect to the treatment of Germany
as
a whole many measures have been enacted and are now being applied to all
four zones of Germany.
Shortages in food and coal have made it difficult to restore a minimum
economy to Germany, but even in this field, substantial progress has been
made within the limits of available materials. Light industry has been en-
couraged by Military Government. Agriculture is being maximized. An acute
food shortage still exists but thanks to the imports made available by the
United States, the conditions in the U. S. Zone have not resulted in mass
starvation, nor -as yet serious malnutrition, and these conditions are improving
at the present moment.
Progress in military government must be viewed from the whole and in
retrospect. A Nazi burgomaster remaining in office would not accord with
our policy. However, the success of our policy is not to be measured by the
individual deviation but rather by accomplishment in the mass. In looking
back to a year'ago Military Government may on the whole well be proud of
its accomplishments. This does not mean that there is not much left to be
done.
The year ahead will bring with it increasing problems. As we are further
removed from war and become more closely familiar with the German people,
there is a tendency to become overly sympathetic. We cannot be too considerate
in the humane aspects of our job, nor in those measures which prove the true
democracy of America. However, we can be humane, just, and considerate and
still remember that our objectives in Germany cannot be accomplished unless
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