To many a resident of Communist East Germany, the nicest thing about his country, compared to the other satellites, is the ease with which he can get out of it. Last year a total of 252,870 East Germans fled westward, among them 2,553 People's Policemen. So far this year, the escape traffic has been even higher: 18,828 in 1956's first 20 days. These are not East Germany's aged, tired and homeless; most are hard-working farmers and factory employees fleeing excessive work norms, or young men who want to escape the draft (the East German army was officially proclaimed last...
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