Forcing Russia's Hand
The East German workers have shown that they are not yet pacified. The reports of new clashes and strikes show that they were neither crushed by the Russian tanks on June 17th nor won over by the hasty and half-measure concessions of the East German Government. Nor could such an outcome be expected, for, whatever else he is, the Berliner is neither a fool nor a coward. Outside Berlin, Russian troops are still standing within a mile or two of the city boundary: yet in the State factories workers are staging sit-down strikes. So far as they have " rights " the right to strike has been repeatedly recognised by the East German Government since the June rising. But this situation cannot be dealt with by punching with one hand and patting with the other. The choice before the Russians is clearly one between repression and real conces- sions: it is also clear that at the moment they do not wish to be forced to make that choice.
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