Evening star., 1948-03-22
Americans Will Stay
In Berlin Despite Red
>u
Boycott, Clay Says
By ths ksseeiotsd Press

~ me SssoStOfed FFG$S
BERLIN, Mar. ~. - Despite
Russia's boycott of four-power
government machinery for Ger
many, the United States occupa-
ton chief said today the Ameri-
cans intend to stay in Berlin.
I'VE are in Berlin by agreement,
just as the Russians are in Saxony
and Thuringia territory conquered
by American troops by agreement"
said Gen. Lucius D. Clay, United
States military governor. 1--WE in
tend to stay"
The Russians boycott, which
followed their walkout on q meet
ing Of the Allied Control Council
Saturday, spread paralysis today
through the whole control authority.
Other Meetings Cancelled.
In quick succession, acting as
chatrmen for this month, they can
celed meetings Of four power COM
mittees which had been scheduled
for today. They merely said they
were too busy to attend.
BY noon they had taken part In
only one session with the Western
Allies. That was a secretaries meet
ing at which the Russians an
nounced there will be no meeting of
the Allied co-ordinating committee
tomorrow.
Gen. Clay's statement was made
In an interview. 1t replied to a re-
quest that he comment on the Rus
sian boycott and on renewed sugges-
tions in Russian-controlled newspa-
pers here that the western powers
get out of Berlin.
He was not prepared to say what
course the Americans would pursue
If the Russian boycott went-on.
Craftsmanship Rotates.
The Russian chairmen can call
of all remaining control authority
meetings this month If they want.
Next month, however, chairman
ships in all groups rotate to the
Americans and they can call meet
ings.
Gen. Clay was asked whether he
would call the control council into
session in April. He said:
Our course hasn't been deter
mined yet. I shall want to consult
with my colleagues first"
Gen. Clay's remarks were the only
comment on the Control Council
crisis from chief of the three
western powers.
1t. Gen. Sir Brian Robertson.
British military Governor, had
scheduled a news conference for
this afternoon, but it was Cancelled
at mono without explanation.
The Western occupation chiefs ap-
parently were waiting to see how far
the Russians intended to 60.
No doubt the Russians are max
ing break said one highly placed
American, but whether they're
ready to make full break isn't
clear yet.
That may not come until they
are ready to announce the estab-
llshment OF a Communist-co
German government of their own,
choosing to present it as a replace
ment for the control council"
The Russian sponsored Socialist
Unity Party last week engineered
establishment of a so-called Ger
man Peoples Council. The council
has the announced intention of
drafting an all-Germany constitu-
ton and eventually replacing the
Allied Control Council.
Withdrawal Demanded.
The Soviet-licensed Berliner lei
tung over the week end renewed a
demand that the three western
powers withdraw from Berlin. It
said, they have destroyed the
Allied Control Council and with it
their reason for being here"
The Russians Cancelled four meet
ings set for this morning. Shortly
before noon they began calling off
afternoon meetings too.
The standing secretariat of the
control authority met on schedule,
however. At this meeting the Rus
sian members asked that tomorrow's
session of the Allied Co-ordinating
Committee be deferred.
The co-ordinating committee,
made up of the four deputy military
governors, is the second highest
Allied governing body for Germany.
Ranking just under the Control
Council. it prepares the councils
agenda, or program of work.
The Soviet boycott did not extend
to the Allied Kommandantur. the
four-power governing body for the