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Editorial
October 22, 1962
The Daily News Of The Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas County, Virgin Islands
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes US for weak response to a young man's death near the Berlin Wall, failure to enforce access rights, and lack of strong advocacy for German democracy, contrasting with traditional American values.
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U.S. WEAKNESS IN BERLIN
One can understand the disgust of West Berliners at the weak posture of the United States-concerning the death of an eighteen-year-old who was left to die near the famed Berlin wall recently, without medical aid.
In this former German capital the United States and the other Western allies were supposed to have had free access to all the city. The United States did nothing but verbally protest when this right was snatched away last year, and the Berlin wall erected.
Today, our soldiers stand on one side of the wall and watch a young man try to escape across the border, see him shot down, and watch him lie not far away, dying, without rendering him basic medical attention.
There is little wonder that this show of timidity disgusts Berliners.
Of course, West Berliners should appreciate the fact that the United States Army is there, and most of them do and that this alone has saved West Berliners from the fate of East Berliners.
East Germany is a Communist stooge country without freedom.
Since Germany is potentially our strongest ally and since this is the dearest question in the heart of every West German, we should stand forthright for democracy and free elections for all Germany. We are not doing that.
United States stock, and prestige, cannot remain high on the strength of such action and such a record. This policy is a far cry from the traditional forthright stand of the United States of America for freedom, democracy and equal opportunity for all.
One can understand the disgust of West Berliners at the weak posture of the United States-concerning the death of an eighteen-year-old who was left to die near the famed Berlin wall recently, without medical aid.
In this former German capital the United States and the other Western allies were supposed to have had free access to all the city. The United States did nothing but verbally protest when this right was snatched away last year, and the Berlin wall erected.
Today, our soldiers stand on one side of the wall and watch a young man try to escape across the border, see him shot down, and watch him lie not far away, dying, without rendering him basic medical attention.
There is little wonder that this show of timidity disgusts Berliners.
Of course, West Berliners should appreciate the fact that the United States Army is there, and most of them do and that this alone has saved West Berliners from the fate of East Berliners.
East Germany is a Communist stooge country without freedom.
Since Germany is potentially our strongest ally and since this is the dearest question in the heart of every West German, we should stand forthright for democracy and free elections for all Germany. We are not doing that.
United States stock, and prestige, cannot remain high on the strength of such action and such a record. This policy is a far cry from the traditional forthright stand of the United States of America for freedom, democracy and equal opportunity for all.
What sub-type of article is it?
Foreign Affairs
War Or Peace
What keywords are associated?
Berlin Wall
Us Weakness
West Berlin
East Germany
Democracy
Cold War
Free Elections
What entities or persons were involved?
United States
West Berliners
East Germany
Communists
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Us Weakness In Berlin Over The Wall And A Death
Stance / Tone
Strongly Critical Of Us Timidity, Advocating Forthright Support For Democracy
Key Figures
United States
West Berliners
East Germany
Communists
Key Arguments
Us Verbal Protest Only When Access To Berlin Was Denied And Wall Erected
Us Soldiers Watched A Young Escapee Shot And Dying Without Providing Medical Aid
This Timidity Disgusts West Berliners
Us Presence Has Prevented Communist Takeover Of West Berlin
Us Should Stand For Democracy And Free Elections For All Germany
Current Policy Undermines Us Prestige And Traditional Values Of Freedom And Democracy