LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
What Way for Youth ?
Sul,—It was not until 1 had visited Germany this summer, and attended the third session of the international youth camp held at Lorelei on the Rhine, that I realised the pressing need that exists for an answer to your question: " What way for youth ? " An answer will not be found by starting from the basis of fear of the mass' devotion and hysteria demonstrated at the East Berlin rally, or in any consideration that the West should attempt to match numerically such a rally. Such numeri- cally opulent displays have never suited those who believe in individual opinions. German youths today are hungry for Western intercoprse and ideas, and at the moment are largely void of the latter thernselves, having been presented with a mystifying number of cOntradictions during the last six years. There is an urgent need for some political lead from the West. Any such len, however, must not be confused with the religious revival amongst the Protestant and Catholic youth organisations, whose invasion into politics should be discouraged.
" A visitor to Berlin," as a quick answer to what he sees as a desperate situation, suggests that the conception of a unified national Germany would provide an answer. It would certainly find enthusiastic supporters, particularly amongst Eastern German refugees, but is beset with the greatest possible dangers. The idea would have to be effectively sup- ported by the West, who would find itself encouraging disorders and coups in East Germany, which would only result in hardening the Communist martial control on that country. East German students—who had come to Lorelei after breaking from their organised school parties going to Berlin—had no doubts that a number of East German Communists, particularly officials and members of the inflated police force, would fight stubbornly for their present hold on the country. By crusading for a unified Germany, which can only mean the West liberating the East,,one would only lead directly to a conflict which would be hard to keep on a localised scale.
An alternative would be to give our full support to the conception of a European union, even if this was to be without our active participation. At Lorelei the French and German lecturers went out of their way to rival one another in platitudinous phrases concerning this ideal. Such a plan, however, for a federal union of Europe did provoke genuine enthusiasm, notably amongst the Germans. They regard themselves as founder-members, and in such a union would claim equal rights with the other participating nations. In this way they would acquire indirectly the rights which they do not at present possess. As a plan for the basis of thought and actions of young Germans it is weak. By its very nature its realisation may be long delayed owing to the numerous national obstacles to be surmounted, and this delay will, only create agitation and dissatisfaction amongst its supporters.
The only lead which the West can give Gerffiany today is the more rapid extension of equal rights to the Federal Government ; not granting this grudgingly out of the necessity of the moment, but as a generous recognition of the helpful conduct of the German peoples since the war, best symbolised by the West Berliners' stamina and good faith during the air-lift. It would be proof of our desire for their partner- ship, and would give the "youth-of Germany confidence in the future role of their country amongst the nations of the West —Yours faithfully,
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