NEW ATTEMPT TO GRAB BERLIN FOR SOVIET

Chronicle (Levin), 3 July 1948, Page 5

NEW ATTEMPT TO GRAB BERLIN FOR SOVIET

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter

Diplomatic Actiyity In London And Washmgtoo

Copyright)

.) Received Friday, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, July 2. Interallied eonveraatians 011 the Bev^ip situatiori are going on continuously in London. Sir William Strfliig, ]\Ir. B,evin'^ chief political udvLser 011 Gerruany, had further talks on Thursday w-ith • ihe French and American Ambassadors. The latter is reported to have received an important communication froni . Washington. which, it is said, he will discuss with Mr.. Bevin today. The Daily Herald's diplomatic correspondent says it is probable the next step is a joint three-Power Note to Moscqw. The first reaction in Paris to the news that ihe Rnssians had withdrawn from the Berlin Kommandatura — the only four-Power body which was still functioning in Ger.many — is that it showa a tightening oi the Soviet attitude 011 the German qnestion and is proof that the blockade -oi Berlin will not be allevialed. In reporting this the Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent- adds that ' many French observers also interpret the Eussian action as being • Moscow's reply to Mr. Bevin 's Common speech. Aetually, it is pointed out in London, from the standpoint of the Western Allies the closing dowp of the Kommandatura makes little difference. The whole organisation has been progressively paralysed as the split between East and West has widehed over the larger question oi' Germany's f'uture, and it had lately become a platform for disagreeipent all round. On the otlier hand the Russian withdrawfil must inevitahly make things more difficult for Ihe Berlin eity authorities who, except in minor internal matters, have b.een under the JCpmmandatura's orders. They will now haye two masters gjyipg contradietory orders 011 all important matters. It is here, says The Times' Berlin correspondent, that frietion will first arise, and here also that the pattern of future Russian iptentions in Berlin will become evident. The Daily flerald, describipg the Russian action as the beginning of a new attack on the p.ofiition of the Western Allies, adds: "lt is a new attempt to ineovpprate Berlin in the vast territory the Soyiet Government now controls. It is a new attempt at expansion." Major-General E. (). Herbert, British . theoretically holding Berlin toge'ther — eoniiiuuibint iii*Borlin, rorroborated the the elected German City Parliament

statement by Colonel Ilowlev that in the western view the Kommandatura had not i-eased to exjst. "The British mUitary Govexnment cannot accept «V verbal statement by a Russian stalf otticer (Colonei Kahuiti) as ternxinat111^4 agreements on the four-Power adniiuist ration of Berlin which were eoncluded between the four AHied (Jovernnients. ' ' (^uestioned abuut the Kussiau walkout from the Kommandatura Geueral Kobertsou said aceording to his rpports the Uussians had dtclared they wquld refuse to atteud meetings oxfiy until they got satisfaetion from Golonel. Ilowiey for his walkout from theTecent Kommandatura nieeting. This was no.t the same thing as declaring that the Kommandatura was dissolved. ('orrespomlents point out that the Kussiau walkout left oue institution

aiyl Lxecutive Municipal Goyenimeqt or magistrat which Parliament appointe.d. llovyever, the Russians have olreqdy liinted that they intend to ignore the magistrat wiiich gnti.-Couinuinist Bocialists domiixatp. Tflp Kus.sia.us say the city government is subsprvient tQ ihe Ameriegns and has become unrepresentgtiye of the people. Acfording to 'Reuter 's Moseow correspondent Pravda described the Westerxi German currency reforni as "a gigantic financial raeket organised by Amevican bankers \yitfi a view to iiitensifying the enslavempnt of Western Germanv. This feffti'ui has cpusummated Germanv 's dismemberment and it will fmallv sub.jugate her western part to the coutrol of American monopoIies. German lirms have been completely subordinated to Amerfcan iinanciers. "