OBSERVERS SEE SIGNS OF RECONCILIATION

Chronicle (Levin), 14 July 1948, Page 5

OBSERVERS SEE SIGNS OF RECONCILIATION

LONDON, July 13. Some indication of the probable line oi the Russian reply to the Three Powers' protest Notes on the Berjin hlockade, is given in a report from au Ainerican correspondent in Moscow which, it is pointed out in London, must have passed the Russian censorship anc may tlierefore reflect the Russian views. This report said • that the Soviet Government ' ' obviously will defCnd the continuation of its present policy in Berlin until Britain, the United States and France are ready to rejoin the Soviet Union in Four-Power talks covering tlie whole of Germany." The position of the Western Powers at present is that if the blockade is lii'ted, they would agree to Four-Power talks in Berlin about Berlin's administration only. There has been no suggestiOh so far of their willingness ro ciiscuss Germany as a whole. /Wo Soviet licenfuid Berlin Conmiunist newspaper Vorwaerts, adniitted in a lending article that tlie . blockade of Berlin was renllv a political move and not. dne to " teehnical defects" on tlie jailways, says Ke.uter's Berlin correspondent. The paper said: "Berlin stipply Jines will become automatically clear as soon as the Western Powers iind their wav b;fck to Potsdam and wlien they ha vevaccepted the olt'er made to them in ihe exchange of Notes between Hussia and the United States last Mav." Previouslv the Soviet authorities and Soviet lieensed press had niaintaineu that Ihe blockade of Berlin was solelv dne to teehnical diflicult ies.