Britain's Defences Not Neglected

Chronicle (Levin), 19 July 1948, Page 5

Britain's Defences Not Neglected

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter

Copyright)

Received Monday, 10.45 a.m.' LONDON, July 18. There was much that was explosive in tlie Berlin situation, but nobody -wanted to fire the first shot, said the British Secretary for War, Mr. E. Shinwell, at Horden, in Durham. He did nat believe anybody would. Britain, however, was not neglepting her defences. That was a normal precaution and conveyed no threat to anybody.

Qver 5000 Bprliners, at a mass "freedom" meeting in the American Sector, cheered speakers who denounced the 'Russian blockade. The crowd wildly cheered frail, grey-haired Frau Louise Schroeder, Berlin's Socialist Mayoress, who said: "Berlin fights for the world." Authors, editors, actors and student leaders addressed the meeting. Editor Walter Karish said the German Communists were trying to sell Germany into slavery. It is reliably learned that 70 more Skymasters from the United States will soon be used in the Americah air lift to Berlin. This means a potential tonnage increase of 2100 tons daily. Under normal flying conditions each Skymaster is expected to carry a ten-ton load three times daily. Although the Russians have posted more notices about Soviet planes holding manoeuvres in the air corridors of Berlin, British and American pilots report that they have not noticed increased activity in this direction. "Apparently they are just trying ■ to make us nervous about the possibility of collisions to hamper the air lift, but we are not paying any attention," said the chief of the American Military Government armed forces division, MajorGeneral Hall.