Evening star., 1949-05-18
New Subtle Blockade Of Berlin
Seen as Reds Apply Curbs Again;
McCIoy to Head U.S.. Occupation
$50 West German
Trucks Held Up at
East Zone Border
BY the Assoeiofed Press

BERLIN, May 1s.-American
officials charged today that Russia
is seeking to reimpose a subtle
blockade" of Berlin.
c. A. Dix, American military
government transport expert, hur-
riedly left here by car to investi-
gate why $50 West German trucks
are now held at Helmstedt on the
Soviet zone frontier.
Official reports said the frontier
guards were demanding suddenly
that truckers present written per-
mits from the Soviet-appointed
East German Economic Commits
sion for entry of all cargoes.
whether consigned to West Berlin
or East zonal points.
The Russians also claim the
right to control all exports from
West Berlin, although the block
ade was lifted officially May IL.
This claim has blocked rail and
truck shipments westward.
Could Control Berlin Trade.
The Soviet claims-if accepted
by the Western Allies-would en-
able the Russian military admin
istration to control the volume and
character of all West Berlin's
land-borne commerce with West
ern Germany.
A veteran American officer COM
mented:
This is the subtle blockade
beginning all over again, designed
to reduce the Allies in Berlin to
the status of military missions de-
pendent on Russians for all ma
terial goods.
1.-THE Russians tried this subtle
blockage' last year and in some
ways 1t hurt us more than the
open blockade which followed.
"They want to have the same
kind Of control over West Berlin
which they have over Poland or
Bulgaria"
Gift Parcels Turned Back.
The Russian controlled police
at Helmstedt gave no information
on how the newly-required permits
were to be obtained.
The Russians also turned back
truckloads of gift parcels being
dispatched to the Eastern zone
and Berlin by charitable organiza-
tions outside Germany. They said
these gifts in the future must
travel by rail.
A third restriction was that
travel papers for individuals. We
hicles and consignments Of goods
must bear original signatures.
The Russians rejected papers
bearing rubber stamp facimiles OF
signatures of Western authorities.
The restrictions apparently were
being applied only at Helmstedt,
frontier point where the first traf-
fic moved in after lifting of the
Berlin blockade.
Traffic was reported normal
farther north at the crossing point
at Lubbock.
Ban Imposed Last Night.
The Soviet frontier ban on car
goes lacking the East German Eco
nomic Commissions prior approval
was instituted last night.
It came in the midst Of four
power talks in Berlin attempting
to straighten out disputes over
trade and communications be-
tween East and West Germany.
In these talks. the Western Al
lies have turned down a Russian
demand for full reinstatement Of
the 1948 East West German trade
pact, but offered to negotiate new
terms.
Russian and Western officials
met at Lancaster House, British
military government headquar-
tiers In Berlin.
The railway problem seemed
easiest to solve. Western officials
said. Trains have been running
behind schedule since the blockade
ended May IL. Western Allied
officials have offered to speed
things up by using Western loco
motives. but the Russians insist
on using their own.
One Passenger Train Daily.
At present, the Russians permit
only one military passenger train
and 16 freight trains to come into
Berlin from the West.
An American official. who re-
fused to be identified, said the
Russians have given informal as
(See GERMANY, Page A-3o