Evening star., 1948-09-12
Berlin Turning Point Seen Near
With Appeal to U.N. Now Likely;
City Braces for Red Rally Today
Top American and
British Officials
In PorIeys Here
By Gornett D. Horner

There were strong indications
last night that efforts to settle
the Berlin crisis in negotiations
with Russia are nearing a def
mite turning point.
An unusual series of conferences
at the State Department coincldeo
with reports that if direct negotla-
tions in Moscow fail to bring i'm
mediate lifting Of the Soviet block
ade of Berlin, the Western powers
we're prepared to turn the issue over
to the United Nations.
Secretary of State Marshall and
his top advisers conferred separately
with Chairman Vandenberg OF the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
a leading Republican figure in all
foreign policy matters, and British
Ambassador Sir Oliver Franks.
Nothing was made public about their
talks except that they concerned
the Berlin deadlock.
q. s. Officials Silent.
American officials kept q tight
Tipped silence on the reports that
the West Is ready to put the issue
I'D. to the U. N. If the direct nego-
tiations collapse. They do not want
to impair any possible chance OF
negotiated settlement with Moscow
by public discussion OF possible fu-
ture moves.
In Rome, however, two other lead
ing members of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, Senators Con-
nally of Texas. and Hatch of New
Mexico. both Democrats, asserted
that the crisis should be referred
to the U.N. if the direct negotia-
tons fail.
Senator Hatch said the Berlin
situation is threat to world peace
and as such should be taken to the
UN. II all other efforts at solution
break down.
Senator Connally suggested that
"reunion row of the Big Four for
eign ministers might precede refer
ence of the crisis to the U.N." Fail
ing there, he said the entire mess"
should be aired before the U.N.
General Assembly, which convenes
September 81 in Paris.
Officials Refuse to Comment.
Reports from abroad that the
American, British and French gov
ernments had decided to make a
fnal appeal directly to Soviet Prime
Minister Stain to avert a break
down in prolonged negotiations
about Berlin met firm refusal to
comment by officials here.
Senator Vandenberg, told report
ers as he left the State Department
that they might as well put their
pencils and notebooks away-he
could provide no news.
The British Ambassador would
say only that he was there for
general discussion of the Berlin sit
uation.
Senator Vandenberg's conferences
here gave added emphasis to the bl-
partisan nature of American policy
i'm Berlin. He came to Washington
after conferring with Gov. Dewey,
Republican presidential candidate,
Friday, and issuing a statement
serving notice that America is
united to protect American rights
everywhere and against the foes
of freedom
Marshall Joins Talks.
He arrived at the State Depart
ment at l1:05 am, went directly
by a private elevator to Undersecre-
tary of State Lovett's office, and did
not leave until after l pm. Secre-
tary Marshall joined Senator VAN
denberg and Mr.. Lovett for part
of their talk. as did State Depart
ment Counsellor Charles E. Bohlen,
top expert on Russian affairs.
In the meantime, the British
Ambassador conferred for As min
utes with Mr.. Bohlen and returned
to the department later for brle1er
talk with Gen. Marshall.
In Moscow. the Associated Press
reported. the American, British and
c. DIpI 0MATC paoe Az