Foreign News: The Kids

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One of the most terrifying achievements of the Nazi regime was its relentless capture and corruption of German youth. In Eastern Germany, the Communists have proved themselves as good as the Nazis at that deadly game. Their Freie Deutsche Jugend (Free German Youth) seems like a near-perfect reincarnation of the Hitler Youth. The world might get a good look at the young Communists when they stage their long-heralded "march on Berlin" on Whitsunday (see above). Last week, TIME Correspondent Enno Hobbing cabled this preview of the FDJ:

"Be Prepared." The process of corruption begins early. Nine hundred thousand children between the ages of six and 14 are enrolled in the Junge Pioniere (Young Pioneers), the FDJ "cubs." Most of them are drawn in by subtle threats that they will not be promoted in school, by pressure on parents, and by channeling the natural idealism of the young to party purposes.

The kids are attracted by scoutlike slogans: "A Young Pioneer is always helpful, a Young Pioneer respects the people, a Young Pioneer fights for his homeland." Overall motto of the moppets is "Seid Bereit! [Be Prepared]." Their greeting consists of holding the hand (its five fingers represent the five continents) over the head, to indicate that the Junge Pionier puts the welfare of the world over his own.*

For special attainments, e.g., compositions on Red heroes, the pioneer gets a Bewährungstuch (merit scarf); after that, he is eligible for the red scarf and white blouse that signify full-fledged membership. All of the pioneers get chances to march with banners and standards in Red mass rallies. After such parades, they can be heard telling each other "Das war Spass, nicht? [That was fun, wasn't it?]."

"Knock Them Down." For youngsters between 14 and 24, the fun gets more intense. A million of them belong to the FDJ proper. High-school students who want to graduate or attend universities have little chance if they do not join the FDJ. Poorer children, who must go to work early, find it hard to get jobs without the FDJ membership card. The FDJ is in charge of all sports in the Soviet zone; grey heads have to ask FDJ adolescents for fishing and hunting licenses.

The FDJ makes an especially heavy impact on the more impressionable youngsters. One young man, formerly a devoted Hitlerite, saw his dreams crash down in 1945. First he contemplated suicide, then he withdrew into complete apathy. By way of a soccer club, he got into the FDJ. Says he now: "Sometimes I'm terribly afraid I might be wrong again. I couldn't stand a second mental bankruptcy. No! The Communists must be right. Look at their successes—look at China!"

Many of FDJ members are rowdy, opportunist youths, like Hans Gossen, FDJ leader in Saxony. As a Hitler Youth Bannführer, he had tasted power young. As a P.W. of the Russians, he did a quick about-face. In his "confession," he declared that his parents had forced him into Naziism, but that in Russia his eyes had been opened. Said he: "I want to devote myself to progress. Despite my belated awakening, I beg that I may be accepted." His wish was fulfilled.