davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-09-27

restrictions were being removed In
exchange for the currency provi-
sions of the directive, the latter
must refer only to trafilc restrictions
imposed after the western currency
reform of June 18: he went on to
say that trafiic restrictions imposed
before that date were connected
with the London conference. He
later receded from his initial posi-
ton on this point, but continued
to try to put new limitations on the
existing air traffic.
With respect to the provisions OF
the directive concerning the cur
rency itself, Sokolovsky took the
position despite the clear under
standing confirmed by Stain in
Moscow that the proposed four
power financial commission should
have no authority whatever to con-
troll the operations Of the German
bank Of issue with respect to Ber-
lin. Yet without such authority
over the institution issuing, and
promulgating regulations concern
ing, the currency Of Berlin it Is OBJ
vious that the financial commission
would have been quite incapable Of
diseharging the function assigned TO
1t In the directive; /. O., controlling
the practical implemeutatton Of the
Evening star., 1948-09-27

the Cominform and other bodies.
All this, Mr.. Bevin said, had
brought uncertainty to the world.
"To restore confidence now We
need deeds, not words" he told the
Soviet leader.
Show us the deeds" he de-
manded, give us proof Of good
faith, and 1t will be found that
Great Britain will not be slow to
enter into rational discussion, pro-
vided She can expect spirit Of
compromise and understanding for
mutual interests"
He said q feeling of security and
confidence alone leads to disarma-
ment. Since Mr.. Vishinsky appar-
emily takes the opposite view, let
him tell us first the facts about the
armed forces Of the Soviet Union" :"
Evening star., 1948-09-27
White Paper
Continued From First Page. J

present stage Of such extreme grav-
ity that 1t constitutes 4 threat to
international peace and security"
It is on this basis that the West
ern Powers are expected to bring
the issue before the Security Council
under Chapter VII Of the United
Nations charter. This provision
deals with threats to the peace
breaches of the peace and acts OF
aggression"
The note accused the Russians Of
reneging on an agreement for lift
ing the Berlin blockade which en-
voys Of the United States, France
and Britain worked out with Prime
Minister Stain in talks in Moscow
in August.
1t warned the Soviet government
that the Western powers intend to
remain in Berlin and reserved for
them the right to take whatever
steps they may consider necessary
to maintain their position in the
German capital and to prevent
Russia from taking over the city and
Incorporating 1t in the Soviet zone.
Position Summed Up.
The position Of the Western
Powers was summed up in the a.
point note in. language which said
bluntly:
"The issue is that the Soviet
Government has clearly shown by
its action that 1t Is attempting by
Evening star., 1948-09-27

lingly enter into trust and under
standing with us.
1T is perhaps out Of these very
regional structures that there may
yet grow a world government fer
which humanity yearns and toward
which 1t has been struggling 80
long"
Cold War Charge Nonsense"
Mr.. Bevin said Russia's talk OF
a cold war being waged against her
lis nonsense"
But what about the Soviet war
of nerves?" he said. What about
the war Of nerves which has been
carried on against Turkey 50 long
compelling her to keep herself
modified?
"Why a perpetual war Of nerves
involving in this case actual fight
ing, against the lawfully elected
Greek government and the valiant
sorely tried Greek people?
"Mr. Vishinsky need not trouble
to answer. We know that the Soviet
spider wants Greece within its
web"
In many parts of the world,
Mr.. Bevin said, democratic insti-
tutions are being attacked, either
through the Cominform or local
Communists acting under direction
We Are on Defensive.
THE onslaught Is being made d.
rectly or indirectly on the rights
of peoples and individuals. 1t Is we
who are on the defensive. 1t Is We
who are victims of a cold war waged
against us all from Moscow.
THE threat of the war Of nerves
hangs over us in the activities OF
Evening star., 1948-09-27

sia thus wishes to impose on trans
port communications between Ber-
lin and the West new restrictions
which would place the supply Of
Berlin in its power. She thus would
have the possibility of reimposing
an even more effective blockade
whenever she so desires.
No Technical Issue Seen.
IL. The attitude of the Soviet
commander in Berlin in the negotia-
tons and the encouragement given
to attempts to overthrow the city
government prove the Russian gov
ernment refuses to execute its
agreements and wants to destroy
the rights of the Western powers
in Berlin.
13. The Berlin question is not a
technical one, but shows that the
Soviet Union is seeking illegally
and by coercion to get absolute
control of the political, economic
and social life OF Berlin and to in
corporate the city into the Soviet
zone.
IA. The Soviet government thus
has taken on itself alone the entire
responsibility for creating a situa-
ton in which it is no longer pos
sible, in present circumstances. to
take advantage of means of settle
ment prescribed in article 80 of the
U. N. Charter for a situation which
constitutes a threat to international
peace and security.
The French official said conse-
quently, and in order that, interna-
tional peace and security be no
longer threatened. the governments
of France, the United States and
Britain, which reserving the right
to take such measures as might be
necessary in these circumstances,
are obligated to place the actions
OF the Soviet government before the
United Nations Security Council.
Retaliation for Soviet Action.
The decision of the Western
powers to release the full docu-
mentary record of their regulations
with Russia was in apparent re-
taliation for Moscow's action in re-
leasing the Soviet version yesterday,
through their official news agency,
Tass.
The Americans were particularly
bitter about the Russian action,
charging it violated four-power
agreement to keep a tight lid on
the negotiations.
There har been hints in recent
weeks that the Western powers
would refer the case to the Security
Council If the direct negotiations
failed.
U. N. observers predict a series
of furious debates in the Council.
1t was predicted that the Russians
would begin by opposing even a
hearing on the case, basing their
stand on a clause in the U. N.
Charter which excludes the peace
settlements imposed on Germany
and Japan from U. N. jurisdiction.
The West is expected to answer
that the Council can hear any case
carrying a threat to world peace.
Evening star., 1948-09-27
Details of How SokoIovsky Baked Accord

financial arrangements involved in
the introduction and continued cir
culation of q single currency in Ber-
lin. Sokolovsky's reputation OF the
understanding reached on this point
with Stain in Moscow was sufficient
in itself to frustrate any agreement
upon genuine quadripartite admin
istration Of the currency of Berlin
quite aside from other differences
which arose concerning the detailed
financial arrangements for Berlin.
Trade Control Demanded.
With respect to trade arrange
ments between Berlin and the
Western zones Of Germany and
third countries, Sokolovsky asserted
for the Soviet authorities the ex-
elusive right to control such trade
This claim obviously contradicted
the clear meaning Of the agreed
directive to the four military gov
ernors, and in no way constituted q
reasonable approach to the prob
lem Of working out q mutually sat
isfactory basis" for the trade Of
Berlin.
Marshall Sokolovsky in Berlin
thus took a position contrary to the
explicit assurances given by Stain
In Moscow, with respect to trans
port restrictions, currency and
trade. Moreover, he manifested In
creasingly an attitude Of indif1er-
ence about the progress or failure
Of the negotiations.
The week Of technical discussion
in Berlin thus proved even more
futile and frustrating than the
month Of negotiations In Moscow.
The military governors were un-
able to submit an agreed report;
Marshal Sokolovsky remarked that
there was nothing to report.
Evening star., 1948-09-27
Russia
Continued From First Page.)

strations tending to upset the
elected city government by violence.
8. On September IA, representa-
tives Of the three Western powers
told Moscow its Berlin commander
was not observing the Moscow ac-
cord.
8. On September IS, Moscow con-
firned the Interpretation OF its
German commander on the Moscow
agreement so far as control Of air
traffic, trade and powers OF the
finance commission are concerned.
TO- On September %, the Western
government asked Russia If she was
ready to lift the blockade. empha-
sizing it would be futile to continue
negotiations If the Soviet Union re-
fused to observe previous accords
and showed its intention of sapping
and destroying the rights Of the
three Western powers in Berlin.
IL. The Soviet reply of Septem-
ber -25 is not satisfactory. Agcondi-
tional concession to place Berlin
commerce under four-power control
is illusory since the Soviets ask for
control of air traffic, including COM
mercial cargo and passengers. Rus
Evening star., 1948-09-27

everything you, say from this plat.
form, 1t is the rxist-Leninist
conception that there can be nc
final agreement with Com.
munist states? That everything the
Soviet government does is tactics
and that they adhere to their given
purpose, whatever they say In the
process?"
Quotes From Lenin.
Mr.. Bevin said the West was en-
titled to ask that question for 1t
has been thus from the beginning
and you have made no secret of 1t.
1t is in everything YOU publish in
the Soviet Union"
He quoted from Lenin to prove
his point, and added:
Can Mr.. Vishinsky wonder that
we are cautious about accepting at
face value his statement that the
policy OF the Soviet Union IL one
of expanding and strengthening in
ternational cooperation"
Mr.. Bevin denied fiatly that the
Western European alliance was di-
rected against the Soviet Union, as
charged by Mr.. Vishinsky, and said
he had told Soviet Prime Minister
Stain that Britain would cooper
ate with her neighbors as Russia
was doing with hers.
"We are cooperating with our
friends but we are not suggesting
any attack on anyone. In fact, If
the Soviet government are living in
fear of our joining in an attack on
the territory of the Soviet Union
they may rest in peace. We shall
never do it."
BEST to Have Difficulties Now"
He warned the Russians, how
ever, that IF, having secured Soviet
territory, they then use the territory
of other states to prepare attacks or
us, then a very difficult situation Is
created in which we can only look
to our own defense"
Mr.. Bevin said "it is better to have
our difiiculties now than to live
in a FOOLS paradise"
IF we cannot proceed on world
basis as we hoped" he declared
I'VE must proceed on a regional
basis. We must agree with whom
we can agree, work with those
with whom we can work with, un-
derstand and trust those who will
Evening star., 1948-09-27
Chronology of Negotiations
State Department White Poper Discoses
How Russians Thworted Accord on Berlin

August 23-At a second meet
ing with Mr.. Stain, 1t was agreed
a final draft should be worked
out, with Mr.. Molotov, of direc-
tive to the military governors in
Berlin.
The White Paper said Mr.. Sta
lin overruled a contention of Mr..
Molotov and confirmed to Amer
lean Ambassador Walter Bedell
Smith that restrictions imposed
before June 10 should be lifted as
we'll as those put into effect after
that date.
August 27-The ENJOYS met
Mr.. Molotov and Deputy Foreign
Minister Vishinsky and worked
out the directive to the military
governors of Berlin. 1t was dis
patched to Berlin August 80 and
gave the governors until Septem-
Der 7 to file report.
August s1-Negotiations shift
ed to Berlin. The White Paper
said that lit soon became appar-
ent Marshal Sokolovsky Russian
commander in Berlin) was not
ready to honor the undertakings
reached in Moscow"
The week of technical discus
sions in Berlin proved even
more futile and frustrated than
the month of negotiations in
Moscow" the White Paper said.
September 14-The Western
powers gave Mr.. Stain and Mr..
Molotov a memorandum charg-
ing Marshal Sokolovsky upset
agreements reached with Mr..
Stain. They said there must be:
Cd lifting of all restrictions in
Berlin imposed after March 30;
(2) Four-power control over cur
rency in Berlin; 90 a satisfac-
tory basis for Berlin trade.
September 1S-Mr. Molotov re-
piled with an aide-memoire which
defended Marshal Sokolovsky and
declared he strictly followed"
the agreed directive. Mr.. Molotov
asserted a demand for limiting
the Western powers Berlin air.
lift to military purposes, declar-
ing this had been agreed to by
the four powers November 80,
1945. AS for the other main
points at issue, Mr.. Molotov gave
no grounds.
September 22-The Western
powers sent notes drafted by
their foreign ministers in Paris
stating that Cd they could not
accept restrictions on the airlift,
(2) insisted on four-power con-
troll of currency circulating in
Berlin and 90 demanded that
there be no restrictions by Rus
STA on Berlin trade. They said
thus far discussions had been
useless, asked Russia whether it
was prepared to lift the blockade,
and to set a date. They asked a
prompt reply.
September 25-In reply Russia
said in a note that the air routes
cannot remain uncontrolled, and
said the Soviet government in
sisted the agreement on cur
rency be carried out. as inter-
preted by Moscow,
September 26-27-The three
powers blamed the whole crisis
on Russia, charged that Moscow
failed to work out lin good faith
the currency agreements, and
was using force to win political
advantage. They served notice
the whole issue was being re-
ferred to the United Nations Sc.
curity Council.
Evening star., 1948-09-27

Tert OF the American White Paper
account OF Berlin dealings sDtth
Souiet Marshal SokoloDsky:
On August 81 the four command
ers and their staffs met for the first
time to work out, under instructions
from their governments, the imple-
mentation Of the directive. They
continued these meetings daily
throughout the week allotted for the
Berlin discussions.
1t soon became apparent that
Marshal Sokolovsky was not ready
to honor the understandings reached
lin Moscow. During the course OF
the meetings it was evident that he
was seeking to increase, rather than
to decrease, the restrictions on
transport, and also to eliminate any
measure of quadripartite control
over the German bank Of issue for
the Soviet zone with respect to Ber-
lin, and to assert for the Soviet
military authority sole jurisdiction
over the trade between Berlin and
the Western zones of Germany as
we'll as third countries.
Air Restrictions Refused.
With respect to the transport re-
strictions, Sokolovsky began by de-
claring that he would agree to
removal of only those restrictions
imposed after June l8, the date OF
the currency reform. This posi-
ton was taken in spite Of Stains
categorical statement on August "a
that under the final wording Of the
directive any restrictions imposed
before that date would also be re-
moved. Sokolovsky even endeavored
to discuss the imposition Of new
restrictions on the existing air traf-
fc. When the Western command
ers sought to discuss freedom OF
passage for military trains, the
condition of the railroad tracks, and
the need Of more paths, Sokolovsky
began by declining to discuss rail
trafhc unless the Western COM
manders would agree to discuss the
imposition of new restrictions on the
existing air traffic. Gen. Clay and
his colleagues refused to do this.
Pointing out that the directive re-
ferred only to the removal Of exist
ing restrictions, not to the IMPOSE
ton OF new ones. In justifyins his
adherence to the date Of June IL,
Sokolovsky argued that since tramc
Evening star., 1948-09-27

Department record, that Soviet oc-
cupation currency should be used
throughout Berlin and that stimuli
taneously with Its acceptance by
the West "all transport restrictions
that is the blockade-would be
removed.
He also agreed that he woulo
not insist on having the Western
powers scrap their plans for
regional government in Western
Germany, although 1t was the "in.
sistent wish of his government
that the plans should be abandoned
Basis For Farley.
Mr.. Stalin's readiness to trade an
end to the blockade in return fo1
acceptance of Soviet currency in
the Western sectors of Berlin then
became the basis of three weeks OF
negotiations between the Western
ENJOYS and Mr.. Molotov.
Meanwhile Mr.. Stain was told
that while plans for the Western
German government would not be
abandoned, the date of September
/ was not q firm date for making
Evening star., 1948-09-27
e Paper Account of ENJOYS First Session With Stain

Iresentatives were not competent to
deal with technical arrangements of
the currency question; with this
view his British and French col
leagues associated themselves.
At the end of the discussion
Stain asked whether the Western
wanted to settle the
matter that night. If so, he could
meet them and make the following
proposal:
/, There should be q simultane-
GUS introduction in Berlin Of the
Soviet zone deutsche mark in place
of the Western Mark B, together
with the removal Of all transport
restrictions.
2. He would no longer ask as a
condition the deferment Of the
implementation Of the London de-
cisions although he wished this to
be recorded as the insistent wish
of the Soviet government.
Ambassador Smith then asked
about the announcement Of q re-
sumption Of negotiations on Berlin
and holding a four-power meeting
to consider other problems affecting
Germany. Stain said they should
be included. Following this the
three Western representatives agreed
to present Stains proposal to their
governments.
Reaction to Stain Meeting.
1t was the belief of the Western
governments that the progress
made in the discussion with Stain
and Molotov was such that the set
tlement of the immediate Berlin
crisis could be effected. The Soviet
authorities were prepared to remove
all transport restrictions between
Berlin and the Western zones. Re-
sumption Of negotiations on Berlin
and a four power meeting to con-
slider other outstanding problems
affecting Germany was accepted
without conditions, although Stain
wished it recorded as the insistent
desire of the Soviet government
that the execution of the London
decisions with respect to the estab-
lishment of q Western German gov
ernment be suspended until such
time as the four powers met and
tried to reach an agreement con-
cerning Germany.
There remained the problem of
working out general details with
Molotov, and the arrangement of
technical matters regarding the
substitution of the Soviet zone mark
for the Western B mark In Berlin.
Instructions Sent to Smith.
In order, however, that there
should be no misunderstanding Of
the position of the American Gov
ernment in regard to finalizing the
currency proposal developed at the
Evening star., 1948-09-27

those plans completely effective:
also. that the Western German pro-
gram would not rule out . later
agreement with the Soviets. on po-
liticaI and economic unification Of
all Germany.
The second meeting with Mr.. Sta.
lin occurred on August 23. It re-
suited in q final agreement in
principle" between Russia and the
Western Powers that (A) the block.
ade should be unconditionallv- "'
ed and tB) the West - accept
Soviet currency in its sectors of Ber-
lin, but under four-power rather
than single Soviet control.
Around those major points, the
four governments sent instructions
to their military commanders in
Germany to make the agreement
effective in detail.
Bad Faith Occurred.
It was at this point that the
alleged bad faith occurred. Marshal
VASTLY Sokolovsky, according to the
record, began trying to attach con.
ditions which the United States,
Britain and France considered .
violation Of their agreement with
Mr.. Stain. In the main the Rus
sian commander sought to insist
that with the lifting of the blockade
the Soviets would take control OF
all transportation into Berlin, In
cluding air transport.
The Western powers stood firm.
They feared that would allow the
Russians to impose a new blockade
at any time and the West then
would be unable to overcome ii with
the same kind of airlift that so far
has minimized the effect of the
present land blockade.
From that point on, the East
West negotiations went down hill
fast.
The records show that the ne
gotiators put aside the transport
issue for time and sought to work
out details of the currency deal.
Here again Marshal Sokolovsky held
out for conditions which the West
felt would give the Russians effec-
tive control over all currency in
Berlin.
1t was on this point that the ne
gotiations in Berlin finally broke
down. early this month.
New Instructions Sought.
There followed an exchange Of
notes between Moscow and the
Western capitals. Washington,
London and Paris tried to get Mr..
Stain to send new instructions to
Marshal Sokolovsky ordering him to
live up to the terms OF the original
August % agreement.
This Russia, in effect, refused to ,
do on Saturday. As result of this
refusal Secretary of State Marshall,
British Foreign Minister Bevin and
French Foreign Minister Schuman
decided yesterday to throw the
whole case into the United Nations
Security Council.
With that decision the secret, d.
rect negotiations undertaken by
American officials in the hope that
the Russians wanted q face-saving !.
way out of the Berlin crisis came !,
to naught.
China now buyS Japanese f1eWs.n
Evening star., 1948-09-27

An account of the first meet :.
ing betUeen representatives OF
the Western poUers and Prime
Minister Stain oreT the Berlin
situation, as giuen in the Ameri-
can ",Dhite paper" tolloiCs:
The requested interview between
representatives of the Western pow
ers on the one side and Stain and
Molotov on the other took place on
August at nine in the evening.
Ambassador Smith opened the
conversation by presenting the fol-
lowing oral statement to General
issimo Stain:
1T is not our purpose at this time
to rebut in detail the charges con.
tanned in the Soviet note. 1t is
highly important, however, to make
completely clear certain funda-
mental points in the position Of the
United States, the United Kingdom
and France and to clarity the posi-
ton of the Soviet Union which In
certain respects is obscure. The
three governments must re-empha-
size their right to be in Berlin to
be unquestionable and absolute.
They do not intend to be coerced
by any means whatsoever into aban-
doning this right.
Aim to End Restrictions.
Action taken by the Soviets in
interfering with rights in con-
nection with occupation, derived
through the defeat and surrender
of Germany and through interna-
tional agreement and usage, the
interrupting communications be-
tween Berlin and the Western zones
thus interfering with duties of Allied
military forces of occupation, is
viewed with extreme seriousness by
the governments Of the United
States, the United Kingdom and
France. It is incumbent on them
to take such measures as are nee
essary to assure the supply of their
forces and discharge of their occu-
pational duties. The United States,
the United Kingdom and France
do not wish the situation to de-
teriorate further and assume that
the Soviet government shares this
desire. The three governments have
in mind restrictive measures which
have been placed by Soviet authori-
ties on communication between the
Western zones of Germany and
Western sectors Of Berlin. 1t was
the feeling of our governments that
if these measures arose from tech
nical difficulties, such difficulties
can be easily remedied. The three
governments renew their offer OF
assistance to this end.
If in anyway related to the cur
rencY problem. such measures are