Evening star., 1948-05-26
Russian Notifies u. ).
OF Desire for Accord
On Reich Publications
BY the Assoeiofed Pres,

BERLIN, May 26.-The Rus
slams notified American authori-
ties today that they are ready
to come to a suitable settlement
for free exchange of publica-
tions between the Soviet and
American zones of Germany.
Maj. Gen. George Hays, American
deputy military governor, said the
lifting of an American ban on
Soviet licensed publications "de-
pends on whether the Russians give
us guarantees to remedy the situa-
tion.' He said that since the ban
went into effect a week ago, there
have been reports that Soviet au-
thorities are relaxing their inter-
ference.
Col. Gordon E. Textor, head of
the American Information Control
Division, last week banned importa-
ton of Soviet-licensed publications
into the American zone in retalia-
ton for wholesale confiscation and
other Determinations against Amer
ican-licensed publications in the
Soviet zone.
In q conciliatory letter today, 1t.
Gen. M. I. Drativin, the Russian
deputy military governor, asked
Gen. Hays, his opposite number. in
the American zone, to rescind the
prohibition.
Hopes for Settlement.
ct can tell you" the letter said,
I'VE hope to come to a suitable
settlement by which every poSslbll-
ity of infringement of procedure for
exchange of papers will be excluded.
I'm this sense, am ready to as
sure you of our sincere wish to-
carry out the terms of directive No.
IS provided we can get the same
assurance on your part"
Directive No. SIS of the Allied Con-
troll Council provides for the Tree
exchange of publications through
out Germany. Col. TeXtor charged
the Russians violated 1t.
Gen. Drativin opened his letter,
published on the front page OF the
Soviet licensed press, by saying that
he was extremely astoniShed' that
a colonel was granted the right by
United States military government
to declare a directive of the Control
Council invalid"
He said complaints that the dlrec-
tive was not being carried out could
not be regarded as justification Tor
suspending it. He also said he had
facts to make representations on
the handling of Soviet-licensed
papers in the American zone. He
did not cite any of the facts.
The American deputy commander
OF Berlin. w. T. Babcock, declared
last night the Russians seized 200
Germans at Oranienburg, outside
Berlin, on May Is and transported
them to Saxony, where the Rus
slams are reported to be operating
uranium mines.
Answers Red Accusation.
Mr.. Babcock made the charge In
response to a Russian accusation at
a meeting Of the deputies that the
American military government had
issued an "undemocratic" order for
Wol hlllCIi AL IliS @AiiA>AA>
sector to take jobs elsewhere.
The Soviet deputy, Col. Alexander
Jelisarov, also complained about |
the Western Powers installation of
permanent liaison officers in Ber-
Inns three central police head
quarters, all of which are in the
Russian part of Berlin.
1.-THE Soviet expects the officers
will be removed until the question
can be discussed at the Kommanda-
tura (the four-power governing
body for Berlin)," the Russian Of
ficer said. IF you don't, we shall
know what action to take He
refused to elaborate the threat.
The Western Power representa-
tives replied that so long as they
remained in Berlin they would put
liaison officers where they pleased. !