BLOCKADE RESTRICTIONS ALREADY EASED.

Chronicle (Levin), 7 May 1949, Page 5

BLOCKADE RESTRICTIONS ALREADY EASED.

Received Satnrday, 1.20 a.m. BERLIN, May 6. - Reuter reports that Soviet sector police announced today that west sector Berliners are now allowed to take ba.ck to their own sectors food bought in the Soviet sector — the first easing of the blockade restrictions reported in Berlin. Potatoes may be "exported" in unlimited quantities and reasonable quantities of other foodstuffs may be taken out. The resumption of trade between West Germany and the Soviet zone when the Berlin blockade ends will probabiy take the form of a simple exchange of goods at first, according to German official sources. Many technical details have to be settled, especially the exchange rate between the east mark and the Deutsche mark of the western zones. Another difficulty is that the Soviet zone wants to import goods still badly needed in Western Germany. At present West Germany especially needs from the eastern zone jana glass products, textile machinery and spare parts. The eastern zone wants iron, steel, coal, steel products and machinery. Within one hour of the announcement that west sector Berliners were allowed to take back to their own sectors food bought in the Soviet sector, east sector shops were crowded with western Berliners buying at high prices such items as honey, cream cakes and frozen vegetables. Soviet sector German police began erecting huge posters reading ' ' Beat the blackmarket in the streets. ' '