Evening star., 1948-09-14

The Germans would be very dis.
turbed at the withdrawal Of our
Army"
we set out to have q very Diff
ferent job In Germany anyhow
Gen. Clay continued. Il don't know
what the hell We came here for in
the first place If We are going to get
out now"
Asked whether the combined Brit
American army maneuvers in
Bavaria had proved anything, Gen.
Clay branded as ridiculous" reports
that the operation simulated defen-
sive action against q Russian inva-
sion.
Asked II the Western Allied forces
in Germany were strong enough to
fight such an invasion, Gen. Clay
said:
If we were waiting for an inn
mediate war with the Soviets, they
would not be adequate"
Negotia tions Suspended.
Gen. Clay said negotiations among
the military governors here had mot
been broken Of, just suspended by
mutual agreement to resume on
call. They may partially be re-
turned to Moscow
Speaking of prospects for the
winter, If the city, remains under
Soviet blockade, Gen. Clay said,
We may not be as warm as in the
past, but there are no plans to
evacuate the children of the United
States community"
The American commander said
the Allied air lift would not bring
enough coal to Berlin for adequate
house heating" but that even so. the
winter hardships would not be as
severe as two or three years ago.
Asked whether Britain and the
United States planned to keep up
the lift forever if negotiations broke
down, Gen, Clay said that decision
would have to be made by the
governments.
Asked if he thought Soviet hints
they would interfere with the air
lift would materialize. Gen. Clay
snapped:
L don't pay any attention to
them"
Air Lift Praised.
Gen. CLAY said he doubted the
present Communist attempts to
seize power in Berlin had been
planned by the Russians to inter-
fere with current four power nego-
tiations.
Later, Col Frank L. Howiey
United States commandant of Ber-
lin, told the newsmen the air lift
had defeated "as powerful a block
ade as ever had been attempted
against city"
He said the Russians had not
only shut off food stocks, but also
had seized fuels and even medicines
in anticipation that within two
weeks the population would rise
against the Western Allies and
force us TO withdraw"
The Soviet-licensed news agency
ADM said today five Germans who
took part in the disorders that fol-
lowed Thursdays giant anti-Com-
munist meeting here had been SEN
fenced to Is years In person.
Adm said there is no appeal from
the sentences, which were for
crimes against public order, the
lives Of peaceful inhabitants ana
the Soviet occupation troops"
Resort to Force Cited.
Mr. Glaser, who said Russia and
communism have lost the political
battle for Berlin, is retiring as chief
of the civil administration and
political affairs branch, ofiice Of
military government for Berlin.
Mr.. CHASER leaves tomorrow for
the United States after serving in
Berlin since the beginning of the
joint occupation in July. l945. He
told newsmen three years of daily
shirv-sleeve negotiations" with the
Russians had been tough, but con-
fidently asserted:
The Russians and Communism
have proved themselves morally,
ethically and ideologically bankrupt
In Berlin.
THE proof of this lies in recent
events" he said. They now have
descended to rioting and resorted
to force. against democratic pro-
cedures TO seize control which they
could never gain otherwise.
Mr.. CHASER said the battle for
Berlin was not yet over, but he
asserted:
Now the issue is plain and the
lines are drawn for all the world
to see. The Russians are going to
have to talk turkey on the highest
levels in Washington, London and
Moscow"
Climax Due This Week.
IN MOSCOW, informed observers
looked for a climax sometime this
week on the four power talks over
the Berlin crisis. Whether the talks
end In success or failure. appeared
to hinge on what takes place At the
next meeting of the East-West dip
lomats at the Kremlin. perhaps to-
morrow.
In London, Great Britain yester-
day rejected for the second time
Polish protests against the London
six power agreement on the future
of Western Germany. The Foreign
ONCE handed the Polish Ambassa-
dor note saying the protests
seemed to be founded on miscon-