Evening star., 1949-02-04
|Ang|o.!U. Zone
Puts New Ban on
Red Area Traffic
Motor Freight To ond
From Soviet Part of
Reich Is Halted
By the Associated Press

0EftL1N, rep. 4.-Br1tdln anc
the United States clamped ar
embargo today on highway
freight traffic passing through
their zones of Germany from
European countries to the Soviet
zone, effective Sunday.
The embargo affects all roac
shipments which heretofore have
travelled across the bizone into
the Soviet zone from countries like
Belgium, France, Switzerland. the
Netherlands, Luxembourg and Den
mark.
According to the official announce
ment, 1t was ordered because OF
restrictions placed by the Russians
on travel.
Up to now. although Britain and
the United States have closed their
borders to the Soviet zone to goods
from Western Germany, they have
allowed shipments from neighborinp
countries to pass.
Tightens Counter Blockade.
The move was another effort of
the West to tighten the economic
squeeze on the Soviet zone in retail
lation for the blockade on Berlin.
Ofhcials said the effect on traffic
would be considerable. They re-
fused to elaborate.
The text Of the announcement:
"As consequence of the restric-
tlons imposed upon traffic through
the Soviet zone of occupation, it
has become necessary for the mill
tary governors of the United States
and United Kingdom zones of occu-
patton to limit highway traffic trans
mitting their zones of occupation en-
route to or from the Soviet zone or
countries beyond.
Effective 1859 hours (6::59 p.m,
EST February the acceptance at
zonal or international boundaries of
all highway freight-carryin vehi-
cles to, from or through the Soviet
zone of Germany will be discon-
tinued.
"Passenger-carrying vehicles con-
talning no goods other than the
personal effects of the passengers
will not be affected
In another East West conflict de-
velopment Berlin's court of appeals
was split today.
DR.. Georg Strucksberg, president
OF the highest city court, announced
he was moving the court from the
Russian sector to the British sector
because he considered pressure by
the Russians incompatible with the
interests Of independent justice In
Berlin"
The Russians are considered GER
tain to establish a separate court
OF appeals in their sector, Just as
they have done with other institu-
tions which either had headuuar-
tiers in the Western part of the city
or fed there.
The split of the court occurred
only a day after Communist at
tempts to seize the city's public in
surance corporation caused a divi-
sion OF that institution. The in
surance corporation also moved from
the Russian to the British sector.
Suspension Causes Dispute,
The division of the Court of Ap-
peals-second highest court in all
Germany in prewar times-origi-
mated in disagreement over the
suspension of the courts vice presi-
dent, Jacob Blasse.
Blasse was accused of unspecified
Irregularities. The German ATTORNEY
general investigated the charges and
recommended his suspension, pend
ing further investigation. The three
Western military governments ap-
proved the recommendation and or
dered Blasse out Of office. The Rus
slams backed Blasse and demanded
that offices be provided for him in
the court building.
The row came to a climax yester-
day when Soviet controlled German
police arrested DR.. Strucksberg and
questioned him three hours in the
presence of Russian officer. They
accused DR.. Strucksberg of plotting
to split the court. He was released
10 for