Evening star., 1948-07-21
By the Associoied Press

BERLIN, July 21.-The west
ern powers appeared tonight to
have put aside for the present
forceful measures for breaking
the Soviet blockade of Berlin in
favor of new diplomatic moves.
In Washington Secretary of State
Marshall told newsmen the United
States will do everything possible
in the Berlin crisis to reach an ac-
ceptable solution 'and to avoid the
tragedy of war for the world
American officials we're readying
new diplomatic moves in determ-
ined effort to settle the crisis
short of war. President Truman
awaited a first-hand report from
Gen. Lucius D. Clay, the American
military governor who is en- route
to Washington by plane.
Meanwhile. the British-licensed
press said the Russians are prepar-
ing to pull switches and signal
equipment on the railroad to Berlin
if the Western Allies try to force
their way through the Soviet block
ade.
Reds May Offer Power.
The Russians, who already have
offered to feed all Berlin, hinted
through their controlled press that
they may offer electric power for
the entire city, including the Soviet
blockaded Western sectors.
The British-controlled newspaper
Telegraf said German railway Off
cials have received orders to prepare
detailed plans of rail lines running
to the Western borders of the Rus
sian occupation zone.
The British Licensed German news
agency said the closed Helmstedt
line to Berlin was in good shape and
needed no repairs as the Russians
have claimed. The agency said 1t
received its information from rail
officials in the Soviet Union.
German press reports also said the
Russians are strengthening border
barricades on the frontierSwith the
American occupation zone to reduce
German interzonal travel.
Polish Coal May Be Used.
Soviet-controlled newspapers here
implied that the Russians might
supply Berlin with electric power by
using imports of Polish coal. The
papers said the Russians could get
enough coal to restore the drastic
power cuts which have darkened
homes and shut down many fac
tories in Western Berlin.
This second Soviet gesture was
heralded with headlines and edi-
torials in the Communist press. 1t
came as Berliners looked toward
Washington for solution in the
five-Week- -old crisis.
The sudden summons Of Gen.
Clay to Washington appeared to
foreshadow the planning OF new
steps to end the blockade.
The five member nations of the
Western European Union repeatedly
have agreed to oppose any show OF
force against the Russians in Ger
many. The members, who have
been meeting IN The hague, are
Britain, France, Belgium, the Meth
erlands and Luxembourg,
Shuttle Sets New Record.
The United States and Britain
are still managing to surmount the
blockade with their air lift. Yester-
day the shuttle set a new record in
hauling supplies to some 100000
beleaguered Berliners.
The Communist press is endeavor-
ing to picture the Russians as COM
ing to the rescue of Western Ber-
liners who are described as victims
of blind alley policies of the
Western Allies.
The Soviet press here has laudeo
the Russian promise to import l00,-
900 tons of foodstuffs for Berlin as
gesture of genuine humani.
tarianism and warmheartedness" to-
ward the German people.
Food Not Yet Available.
The Russians have invited West
ern Berliners to come into their sec
Gee REPIJN pace Az