Evening star., 1948-04-06
PIuyinq With Dynamite

1t Is significant that the Russians have
been quick to- voice regrets and give assur-
ances in answer to the tough language
spoken by the Anglo-American command
in connection with the collision over Berlin
yesterday between Red Air Force war
plane and transport from England. The
tough language consisted Of simple but
grim warning that unless such regrets and
assurances were forthcoming, fighter
escorts would henceforth accompany all
British and United States freight and
passenger aircraft flying to and from the
German capital. On the strength of the
Soviet response, this step will not now
be taken, but the notice still stands as
an indication Of what can be expected
in case of future trouble.
OF course, the collision may have been
wholly unintentional, as the Russians de-
clare, but the fact remains that the Red
warplane was engaged in a diving maneu-
yer of menacing sort. Further, there
have been unconfirmed reports that Soviet
airmen, acting under orders, have recently
been "buzzing" and otherwise harassing
British and American planes over Berlin.
Whether these reports are true or not, it
has now been made very clear to the Krem-
lin that it had better avoid such tactics
from this point on or face the risk Of
having its flyers run into rain of hot
steel. This is the kind of talk the Russians
have been asking for; they will either heed
it or invite consequences that could be far
worse than any they have been bargain
ing for.
The time is here for showdown on this
subject. The Berlin collision has come on
the heels of indications that the Soviet
Union is in mood to back away from its
highhanded attempt to restrict Anglo
French-American railroad movements in
and out Of the CITY, Evidence Of this is its
invitation to the western Allies-who have
accepted-to take part in talks designed to
clarity the situation and arrive at a salts
factory understanding. But the talks, If
they are to be fruitful, must cover not
only rail traffic, but air traffic as WELL
If the Russians really want to avoid
trouble, they have got to give us guarantees
against harassment.
What is involved here is simple decency
and the prestige of the western Allies.
They must make 1t unmistakably clear to
the Soviet Union that they do not propose
to be pushed around or harried on the
road to Berlin-either on the ground or in
the air. They must make it unmistakably
clear-through just such notices as the
one regarding fighter escorts-that they
will insist on the full enjoyment of their
rights, even to the point of holding armed
force in readiness to support those rights.
France, Britain and the United States can
not do less than this and still maintain
"face" IN Europe
AS for the Russians, If they are to live
up to the rules of civilized society and
avoid warbreeding incidents, they must
moderate themselves accordingly. Yester-
days crash tragically underscores the
gravity of the situation they have created
in Germany. Possibly they may not know
it, but they have been playing with dyna-
mite. What needs to be driven home to
them is the grim fact that the whole thing
may blow up In their faces if they hold to
their present course much longer. If they
are sane, the Anglo-American statement
on fighter escorts should strike them as
danger signal of the most somber sort.