Progress in the British Zone The pre - requisite for any improvement
in the situation in Germany Is more food for the people. Last week twelve persons in Hamburg died from starvation. Reports of this sort indicate the background against which all other news from the British Zone should be judged. For this reason it is satisfactory to learn that this year's harvest is almost double the original estimate, that rations are to be increased from 1,050 calories to 1,550. For only with an increase of food is it reasonable to expect an increase in the production of coal without which a reduction in the British subsidy of £8o,000,000 cannot be envisaged. It is to be hoped, therefore, that Germany is round the worst corner. But that a new phase has been reached is indicated, again, by the statement of Sir Brian Robertson at the opening of the Hanover Landtag—in itself an event of consequence—on the manner. that executive responsibility is more and more devolving on the Germans. This is as much to be welcomed as is the statement concerning an immediate reduction in the staff of the Control Com- mission. Meanwhile plans are in hand for cementing the new economic agreement between the British and American Zones, which should help in the restoration of industry to a stage when the Ger- mans should largely be self-supporting in the provision of essential consumer goods. Finally there is the suggestion that the British Government are considering the return of the 388,000 prisoners of war still in this country. Clearly their continued retention involves political and economic considerations as well as moral ones, but it is questionable whether there are any valid grounds for keeping them any longer, once this year's harvest has been gathered.
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