Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-01
Gen. Clay Says West
Us Ready 10 Negotiate
lon Berlin Currency

On Berlin Currency
~ the Assoeiossd Press
BERLIN, July 31.-Gen. Luz
cius D. Clay said today the
western powers are prepared to
negotiate with the Russians on
the chaotic dual currency situa-
ton in Berlin. The Russians
have used the money issue as
one excuse for blockading the,
city.
But we mean negotiate the
American military governor added.
Gen. Clay said the Western Allies
attempted to negotiate the money
question with the Russians before
the new currency was issued a
little more than month ago. The
Russians broke OF the negotiations
and attempted to introduce their
Soviet zone currency in all Berlin.
The Western powers then promptly
brought their new West German
mark into Berlin and distributed it
in the Western sectors, q step Gen.
Clay termed politically necessary"
1.-THE events which have taken
place would have taken place re-
CARELESS of currency reform, Gen.
Clay said in answer to questions at
a news conference. He referred to
the Soviet blockade of rail and auto
traffic between Berlin and the
Western zones and the cutting off
of power in the Western sectors of
the city by the Russians.
Plans are Exchanged.
The Soviet effort to take over
the currency in Berlin is interpreted
by Western officials as move to
include this four-power city in the
economy of the Soviet zone. Gen
Clay said in answer to a question
he did not believe that the RUS
slams are achieving their aim of
gaining economic control of all
Berlin.
Questioned about broader Dip
lomatic negotiations with the Rus
slams on Germany, Gen. Clay said
there had been no change in plans
for creation of responsible self
government in Western Germany
The three Western military govern
ors and leaders of German states
in the. Western zones agreed this
past week to set up West German
Government.
Gen. Clay said nothing is being
done here to reopen surface routes
to Berlin. But he added that the
Americans and British are prepared
to fly in supplies in increasing
quantities
He said that with completion of
the new airport being built in the
French sector of the city, it was
planned to reach a daily capacity of
5000 tons for the aerial supply line
and he expressed confidence that
goal could be achieved.
5000 Tons Needed Daily.
Gen. Clay said the maximum of
5000 tons daily was necessary to
maintain an average of $500 tons
day through good weather and
bad. He estimated this amount
would assure Western Berlin of the
minimum amounts of food, coal and
electricity needed for the winter.
Coal would be supplied to hos
pitfalls and other important centers
but not for.heating homes. He said
I'VE believe the people of Berlin
would rather subsist on the mini
mum essentials than see any change
in the present regime"
The United States Air Force and
the r. A. F.. brought new high
tonnages of coal and supplies into
the city today. The Americans
landed 2,027 tons in 339 flights. and
the Raj made 273 flights The
British did not disclose the tonnage
but estimated officially that it was
7 per cent higher than the previous
one-day record.
Asked what would be done If the
Russians should interrupt the long
distance telephone cable between
Berlin and the Western zones, Gen.
Clay said I'VE will get along with
out it,
The Western Allies cut the gaso-
line allowance for Western Berlin
in August to SO per cent of normal
consumption today, but increased
the diesel oil ration by 80 per cent
thus assuring an adequate transport
force.
incubation Begun.
An intensive drive to inoculate
BerAners against typhoid was
started today with an announce
ment by Western occupation au-
thorities warning that the Russian
blockade has raised the danger OF
an epidemic.
Because of Soviet power cuts,
sewage disposal plants have been
working only part time and an
estimated 1000 tons of sewage daily
is backf1owing into Berlin canals
and other waterways.
The United States Air Force put
on a show of strength as l6 jet
fighters and 80 "Thunderboit"
fighters participated in a review
over the Munich area. 1t was the
first time all 16 Shooting Star"
jets, which arrived recently from
the United States, flew together
over Germany.
The British licensed news agency
reported from Leipzig In the Rus
sian zone today that there had
been a great increase in Soviet
air activity near the city recently.
The Russians appear to be con-
Quoting extensive night maneuvers
with both fighter planes and four
engined bombers, the agency said.
II takes z 600 cocOOnS to make a