Evening star., 1948-07-26
Berlin
Continued From First Page.

to the Soviet Zone each month
about $4,000 tons of iron and steel,
100000 tons of coal and large guam
titles of general cargo, the latter
category including products for
/ Berlin.
The volume had dropped sharply,
however. since April /.
In another development. the Ber-
lin city government ordered the dis
missal of Police President Paul
Markgraf who was appointed to his
position by the Russians in 1945.
Dr.. Ferdinand Friedensburg,
Deputy Mayor of Berlin, said he
had handed Markgraf a letter of
dismissal, ordering him to turn over
his office to his assistant. The
move was expected to have wide
repercussions in this four power
city.
New Conference Expected.
Meanwhile, most indications point
ed to acceptance by the United
States, Britain and France of a
Soviet demand for a new conference
on all of Germany.
The Western powers expressed
Willingness to negotiate on Berlin
only in their first note demanding
that Russia lift the Berlin blockade.
But Russia has rejected the idea
of separation negotiations on Berlin.
British and French authorities
repeatedly expressed willingness
earlier to confer on all of Germany.
And Gen. Clay indicated last night
that the United States has swung
into line with the British and
French position.
Gen. Clay, just back from WASH
ington, said the United States is
prepared to negotiate on all of Ger
many but mot under duress." BY
duress he referred to the Soviet
blockade Of Berlin.
Currency Discussions Possible.
He expressed belief that the Rus
slams have not committed them
selves so far that they cannot lift
the blockade. Gen. Clay indicated
the Western powers also might be
willing to discuss new proposal on
currency, If necessary, in order to
reach an agreement on breaking the
blockade.
When the Western powers intro
duced a new currency in their zones,
the Russians sealed off their zone
to prevent a flood of worthless
marks from entering Eastern Ger
many
Gen. Clay also told a news con-
ference that Allied planes will con-
tinue to fly supplies to Berlin mo
matter what happens in the (air)
corridors and the United States will
start construction work on a new
Berlin airport today.
He had met earlier with top
American diplomats from Wash
ington, Moscow and London.
Gen. Clay said he found united
agreement in Washington on the
necessity of staying in Berlin and
a determination to do so. He said
orders had been issued to start con-
struction of a new Berlin airport
today to increase the air lift opera
ton.
Optimistic on Situation.
He said he is more optimistic
about the Berlin situation since his
trip to Washington because he re-
ceived additional planes. Additional
C-54s will start arriving in Germany
from the United States shortly with
the aim of increasing the lift capac-
ity to over 1000 tons daily.
This will make it possible for us
to fill Berlin's minimum needs for
many months to come" Gen. Clay
said.
But the Russians asserted they
will be prepared by August l to feed
, Western Berlin as we'll as their own
sector. Every Berliner who accepts
Russian food must have ration
card printed in the Soviet occupa-
ton zone. Berliners now draw their
food rations in the sectors where
/ they live. e.,
Pressing ieir campaign to gain
an econom ! stranglehold over the
entire city the Russians started is
suing tn II permanent new East
I German! currency. They invited
Western Berliners to come and get
it as - e only legal money"
Press Honors Dead Flyers.
Reports in the German and So
Wet press drew a picture of growing
political unrest in the Russian occu-
patton zone. Open violence was said
to have occurred in some places.
The press of Western Berlin.
meanwhile, paid tribute to the two