U.S. Determined to Retain Share in Control of Berlin

Grey River Argus, 27 March 1948, Page 5

U.S. Determined to Retain Share in Control of Berlin

(Rec. 5.5). WASHINGTON, March 25. The U.S. Secretary of State, General Marshall, said to-day that the United States is determined to .stay in Berlin, in spite of Soviet efforts lo disrupt the Four' Power control there. He said: “In accordance with the international agreement binding on al four of the control Powers, the' United fates intends to continue, to full'll its responsibilities as a member of the Control Council, and as a .joint occupant of the citv of Berlin”.

Britain Says Soviet is Disrupting in Germany (Rec. 8.10). LONDON, March 25. The British Government has sent a Note replying to the- second Russian protest against the London tbreeFower conference on Germany. Bri-

tain blames Russia for tlie breakdown of the four-Power control machineryin Germany. The British Note says: Russia’s refusal to allow conditions to exist in Germany which are essential for the well-being of Europe has been amply demonstrated by her actions in the Four-Power Control Council and in the Foreign Ministers’ Council, and in all aspects of her policy of political and economic discrimination in the Soviet-occupied zone. WESTERN TREATY BRUSSELS, March 24. The Belgian Senate ratified the five-Power Western Union Treaty, signed at Brussels on March 17. DUTCH VOLUNTEERS THE HAGUE, March 24. It is officially announced that a volunteer force to assist in maintaining peace and order in an emergency, to be picked from men under 55 years who have had over six months’ military training, will soon be organised to reinforce the Dutch Army.

Polish Government Organising Youths for Defence LONDON, March 26. Polish boys between the ages of 16 and 21. totalling 750,000, have been enrolled in a new youth organisation called “In the Service of Poland", reports the Warsaw correspondent of the Times. The first contingents are lo begin two months’ training at the end of Anril. Colonel Michael Gorski, the assistant commander of the new organisation, said that in addition to receiving physical and citizenship training, they would be taught “the noble task of defending their country”. They would receive no pay, but would have free board, lodging, and uniforms. Their rations would be the highest for anv class in Poland.

TURKEY'S DEFENCE PREPARATIONS ANKARA, March 25 Turkey intends to reintroduce air raid defence measures in the Istanbul aid Bosphorus areas. . The Turkish Foreign Minister (Mr Sadak) is expected to announce soon that world events make necessary a common Greek-Turkish foreign policy. , ‘The Government has decided to abolish the post of Turkish Military Attache in Sofia because "in the present abnormal circumstances he is unable to discharge his duties efficiently” (This follows the recall ol the Turkish Attache amj /isistantAttache at the request of Bulgaria and the Turkish demand tor the recall of the Bulgarian Attache'). RUSSIAN INTEREST IN MIDDLE EAST LONDON, March 25 A Swedish official who recently returned from Moscow to Stockholm, said that the Russians are attempting to negotiate a contract with Turkey over the control of the Dardanelles. The Stockholm Svenska Dagbladet said the Russians are anxious to consolidate their position in Easter Europe so that they may take a more active part in Middle East politics and in the Far East. The Russians are greatly concerned about the presence ol American long-distance bombers in Japan, iney say' that these air forces threaten their industrial areas in Siberia.

Greek Army Victory at Olympus

ATHENS, March 24. Major-General Vanfleet, chief of the United States military mission to Greece, said the Greek Army with air support, killed or captured 1,100 guerrillas in a “brilliant victory tn the Olvmous area. He added that the battle was continuing and the guerrillas’ losses were mounting. The Greek News Agency announced from Salonika that Greek armoured forces dominated the whole of Lie Pverria mountain chain (part of the Olympus Range) after lighting in violent snowstorms.