Evening star., 1948-06-28
Ominous Doys in Berlin

tatorShip is strikingly-and ominously-
illustrated by what is going on in Berlin.
The Russians want to force France Britain
and the United States to abandon the city
and let it become an integral part Of the
Red zone of occupation. To that end,
acting on instructions from Moscow, the
Soviet authorities in the former German
capital have been resorting to policy
of insults and pinpricks for many weeks
past, and now they have carried that
policy to a point where an explosion OF
the gravest kind seems possible.
AS the situation stands today, approx
mately 100000 Germans in the Anglo
French American sectors of the city are
starvation. The reason for this is that
the Soviet Union, In fragrant violation OF
the agreement on four-power control, has
cold -bloodedly created currency muodls
and at the same time taken steps to cut
off the food supply Of all the inhabitants
living under the authority OF the three
Western Powers. In addition, Insofar as
1t has been able to do so, it has been cutting
down on the supply of light, power and
water.
To the extent that 1t makes normal
business almost impossible and thus hits
hard at the individuals means OF hveh-
hood, the Soviet move on currency Is bad
enough in itself. Far worse, however, Is
the action on food. What the Russians
have done is to ban all trafic on the single
railroad supplying the Anglo-French--
American sectors. The ban, they say; is
necessary because the railroad, which they
control, is suffering from technical dim
culties" likely to take a long time to repair
But the phoniness OF their excuse Is un-
disguised. Having cut the rail line, they
have further decreed that no food Will oe
shipped from their zone to the western
areas Of the city.
The objective behind all this Is plain.
By holding the threat Of starvation over
the heads OF the 2,20o 900 Berliners under
plo-French- American authority, the
Russians hope to place the Western Powers
in an untenable position. Speaking as the
United States commander, General Clay
has said that nothing short OF war can
force us out But suppose the sovies 90
no more than what they are doing now.
Suppose they just keep the supply line
severed. Planes cannot transport nearly
enough to feed the Germans In the western
sectors of the city. So what will we 40
then to prevent starvation and attendant
disorders? Will we use armed power 70
push traffic, over the Redcontroled rail-
road? Will we be willing to risk military
showdown? Or will we simply withdraw IN
order to save innocent people from the
cruel suffering the Russians seem ready
to inf1ict on them If we refuse to get out?
And if we do get out, what will be the
fate of the anti-Communist Germans we
leave behind to the tender mercies OF
Soviet totalitarianism? And what Will
happen to our international prestige II we
stage a humiliating retreat from city
of such symbolical and psychological I'M
portance? The questions speak for them
selves. If the Kremlin is determined to 60
through with what it has started, II 1T can
not be dissuaded by solemn diplomatic
pressureS from Paris, London and wash
ington, events in Berlin may soon obllge
us to make a choice of evils. Our election
wear distractions Notwithstanding, we had
better keep our eyes wide open to the
dangers before us. AS Winston Churchill
saws, the situation may well involve issues
az grave as those at stake at Munich ten
years ago.