Evening star., 1949-07-11
Berlin Truck Traffic
Cut 10 -Four an Hour
In New Soviet Move
By the Associated Press

BERLIN, July 1.-THE Russians
have choked off truck cargoes for
West Berlin to four an hour-96
a day-on the Helmstedt auto
balm. All other highways to the
city have been completely closed.
A report to the American Mil
itary Government that all trucks
must be completely unloaded for
inspection indicated that this flg-
ure might be further reduced. An
average of 800 trucks a lay had
been travelling the Helmstedt road
lately.
There has been no explanation
yet from the Soviet Military Gov
ernment for the little blockade" +"
Russian border guards said, how
ever, they were acting on tele-
phoned orders from their highest
headquarters in Germany.
One truck leaving the British
Zone with 10 tons of glass for
Berlin took an hour to pass the
Russian check point because OF
the unloading provision. In the
meantime, no other trucks were
allowed to pass.
IF the Russians are merely at
tempting to prevent the importa-
ton of black market goods, they
would have some reason to require
this rigorous inspection" an Am
erican officer commented.
Pressure on Trade Talks.
But since they have shut down
at all points except Helmstedt. it
seems obvious there are other
motives"
Some Allied officials indicated
they believed the stoppage was a
Russian move to force the Allies
TO meet Soviet trade terms in
forthcoming East-West negotia-
tions.
The British notified the Foreign
Office in London Of the restric-
tions, calling them clear breach
of the Paris agreement" reached
by the Big Four foreign ministers
last month.
This new harassment of Berlin's
supply lines produced a tense
atmosphere for tomorrow's OPEN
ing of four-power consultations
for "normalizing" life here.
Some angry Allied officials
claimed the Russian action appar-
emily gave the lie to recent pro-
fessions of goodwill from Soviet
quarters in Berlin.
Carried Fresh Foods.
It also provided a dramatic re-
minder that West Berlin is a
political and economic island 100
miles inside the Soviet Zone with
all it's land communications at the
mercy of the Red Army.
The trucks which have been
held up carried mostly fresh
fruits, vegetables and fish-unra-
toned foods which West Berliners
bought in great quantities. Coal
and other basic supplies for the
city's economy are moved by
train. The airlift also is keeping
up delivery of 1000 to 5000 tons
of various goods a day.
The Russians today cut prices
drastically in their chain store
system throughout their occupa-
ton zone. These stores sold un-
rationed foods at prices far above
the level in West Berlin and West
Germany.
Allied officials believed the
price cut was designed to en-
hance the low-valued East mark
In East-West trade negotiations.
Vigorous Action Promised.
A British military government
source said the Western powers
would take vigorous action" in
the new blockade situation.
Until we receive a letter OF
explanation which the Russians
have promised by Saturday. we
do not know their position" he
said.
"But they couldn't say anything
which would justify closing all
but one crossing point and at that
point enforcing a showdown Of
our trucks to four an hour.
"It appears probable that the
Western deputy military COVER
nors will deliver formal pro-
test.
Failing satisfaction on that
level, the matter would have to
be taken up with the Soviet Union
by their home governments"
Some checkpoints in the Brit
ish and American zones reported
that the Russians were expanding
their blockade to include trucks
carrying exports from Berlin, as
well as inbound trucks.