Cold War: Escapes Continue

Two walls now imprison East Germans—the Berlin Wall and the new 834-mile barrier that the Reds are building along the whole length of the East-West German frontier. Nevertheless, East Germans continue to escape westward—each one risking his life to seek freedom.

During the relatively quiet years, an average of 600 a day crossed over. In the weeks of Torschlnsspanik (gate-closing panic) just before the Wall went up Aug. 13, the number rose to an astounding 1,700 a day. Last month, defying the walls, watchtowers, guards and dogs, about 860 ran the gantlet to West Germany, about half through divided Berlin and half across the zonal border. For October the total figure was even higher: about 2,325.

Despite the border closing, this year's number of registered refugees has already climbed higher than the 1960 figure of 199.188. Among them are between 300 and 400 members of the East German army, people's police and border police who have fled since Aug. 13. Two young Vopos who escaped last week explained why: they could no longer bear to shoot down other refugees.