Evening star., 1948-07-01
RussiansKi||
Last 4-Power
Unit in Reich
Berlin Kommunduturo
No Longer Exists
Red Official Says
BY the Associated Press

BERLIN, July 1.-The Rus
slams quit the Berlin city gov
ernment today and thus killed
the last functioning four-power
governing body in Germany.
A British spokesman reported this
latest development in the Berlin
crisis. He said the Russians with
drew from the Kommandatura, the
Allied body set up to rule Berlin,
with the statement that "the Kom-
mandatura no longer exists"
The spokesman quoted Col. Boris
Kallnin. the Soviet chief of staff
here, as blaming the behavior of
Col. Frank Howley, American COM
mander for Berlin, and introduc-
ton of the Western currency into
the city for the death of the Kom-
mandatura.
The fate of the Western Allies
In Berlin, deep inside the Soviet
zone and under Russian food block
sde, remained question. The Unit
ed States and Britain, publicly COM
mitted to withstand all efforts of
the Russians to squeeze them from
the city, stepped up their flow of
transport planes in an effort to
break the blockade.
Details of Session.
The British spokesman relayed
this account of Col. Kalinin's &C
tions at todays regular meeting of
the Kommandatura
Col. Kalinin said the Soviet flag
and Soviet sentry would remain
at the Kommandatura building,
which is in the American sector.
until the Russians clear out their
archives.
He said Russia would continue to
abide by past four-power agree
ments reached by the Kommanda-
tura. He told his fellow chiefs of
staff that Russia respects all deci-
sions reached by that body. since
they were adopted by mutual agree
ment.
Col. Kalinin complained because
VIZ -hillSl ~ Sollo INl 0oCu W
for Col. HoWley's behavior in de-
parting from the last meeting of the
Kommandatura after 13 hours of
sharp debate Col Howley left his
deputy William Babcock, to rep
resent him. At the time the Soviet
delegation seized on the occasion to
walk out, leaving the question of an
other meeting up in the air
Repeats Soviet Assertions.
Col. Kalinin repeated Soviet asSer-
tions that Berlin is an economic part
OF the Soviet zone and should be in
cluded in the currency reform pro-
gram for that zone. The Western
powers hold that the Kommandatura
is the proper body to introduce cur
rency reform in Berlin, which they
regard as four-power island in the !
Soviet zone set apart by four-poWer
agreement.
At the climax to his announce
ment of the breakup of the Kom-
mandatura Co. Kalinin invited the
British, American and French stats
to have lunch with him.
But II the future We will not
provide any meals" he added.
1t is the custom for the power
having the chair TO provide food for
communicative personnel. The
Russians took the chair beginning
today for the month of July.
Occupation Years Old.
The Soviet boycott of the Kom-
mandatura and all its working
committees occurred on the third
anniversary of four-poWer occupa- +
ton OF Berlin 1t appeared the
Western powers would operate West
ern Berlin, with its 100000 inhabi-
tants. on three power basis while
the Russians ran their own sector.
THE Kommandatura is not fin
ished,' said Col Howley. The Rus
slams just left it. There Is no legal
reason why it can't continue on a
three-poWer basis"
William Babcock. American deputy
commander in Berlin, issued a state
ment declaring:
so far as we are concerned there
still is a quadripartite government
of the city and we are ready to
maintain it. Before the Russian act
See BERLIN. Page A-4.D