Gomulka could be the next 'Nagy'

By Douglas Hyde THE cold-blooded execution Iof Imre Nagy, former Hungarian Communist Prime
Minister, and his associates, this week shocked the West. It was seen as yet another warning to Tito that Khrushchev means
business. But its long term effect is likely to be greatest in
Poland, where Gomulka, under pressure from his Catholic people, has travelled much of the road taken by the ill-fated Nagy. Ciomulka still clings to the remnants of his belief that Khrushchev meant at least some of what he said when, before the Hungarian people's rising, he talked of there being "many roads to socialism". He obstinately permits nationalism, and a diminishing degree of freedom of religion, to flourish alongside Communism.
The dead Nagy is clearly meant to strike terror into Gemlike and
his comrades. Gomidka could, if Khrushchev chose the right moment, go the same way as his Hungarian comrade. And he knows it.
It has been clear for some months that he is slowly and gradually, but nonetheless effec tively, yielding to Moscow pressure and dropping the more liberal aspects of his policies.. Nagy's death is likely to accelerate the process.
Mr. R. J. Mellish and Mr. Walter Edwards are among the
Labour lal.P.s who have signed a
letter appearing in "Thc Times" on Wednesday entitled "Tragedy in
Hungary". 'the letter states that "in view of the imminence of a Summit Conference and the need for allaying suspicion and fear, it is a tragedy that the Soviet government should be so indifferent to-s accepted diplomatic standards. it is to be hoped that our Western diplomatic representatives who may participate in a future Summit Conference will insist that mutual suspicion and fear can only be allayed if all sovereign powers respect fundamental human rights". A following letter, by Lady Listowel, states that the objects of repression in the Soviet orbit "are no longer 'class alien elements'— but men and women willing to stand up for the, great principles of freedom and human dignity. They must be broken—or vanish".