Evening star., 1948-07-17

unfavorable. The sky was heavily
overcast with ceiling between 1000
and 1900 feet.
An editorial in Taegliche Rund-
schau, official Soviet mouthpiece
said that even Western commenta-
tors conceded that if a new war
came Soviet advance troops could
reach the Rhine within a few days
and the European Atlantic coast
within few weeks.
No Serious Danger Of War.
The editorial said, in part:
ANY one who calmly and free
from panic voices the desire to
currently judge the international
situation can understand that at
the present time there is no serious
danger of war whatsoever.
Even adventurous politicians of
American imperialism would not
now risk starting a war because
they know they would then have
against them the people of Europe
who want peace.
American imperialists would not
venture it in the clear knowledge
that the forces of democracy are
stronger today than the forces of
imperialism" BY the force of de-
mocracy the Communists mean the
states with Communicated govern
ments.
German Leaders Warned.
The newspaper scoffed at Berlin
cafe tales" that Allied tank columns
and squadrons Of planes could be
at Helmstedt, the Brit
ish zone border point where the
Russians have closed land transport
lines to Berlin.
This reminds us Of the Hitler
phantom army that was supposed to
open the way to Berlin during the
last days of the war;" the paper
said.
the Soviet organ threatened re-
venge against German anti-Com-
leaders here who sided with
the Western Allies and sought to
frighten the German population
into submission with warnings.
"1f a new war comes, it won't be
in far off Turkey, but right here in
Germany-wasting its fields, cutting
off its transport and bringing a
hunger catastrophe" the paper said.
Czech and Polish Deals Blocked.
An American military govern
ment announcement said the Rus
slams blocked British and Amer
lean attempt to bring Czechoslovak
potatoes and Polish coal into Berlin.
The statement said the Czech and
Polish governments could not ar
range with the Soviet military ad-
ministration for the transportation
of $4,000 tons of potatoes and 10000
tons Of soft coal through the Soviet
zone.
American officials said Soviet re-
fusal to grant clearance emphasized
the political character of the
Soviet hunger blockade Of Berlin.
Despite the admittedly desper-
ate need of Czechoslovakia and Po-
land for. dollars, an offer of imme-
diate payment for the potatoes and
coal had to be rejected in Prague
and Warsaw on the ground the Rus
sions would not grant the necessary
clearance through the Soviet zone
to biockaded Berlin" the announce
ment said.
Both countries are willing and
anxious to sell the goods and would
deliver them anywhere In the hi
zonal area" it added.
Blockade Denounced.
Jacob Kaiser, chairman of Ber-
Inns anti-Communist Christian
Democrats, denounced the Russian
Blockade as the "cruelest blockade
against the will for freedom of a
working population"
Kaiser was cheered by q mass
meeting of 5000 anti-C Communists
as he denounced the Russian action
and the Germans silent indorse-
ment of 1t. ),
He called on Berliners to continue
to resist totalitarianism despite the
they suffer under q
olockade u,hich In iYnrnsed in r,eare