Evening star., 1950-04-23

struction in the use OF anti-riot
When May 81 arrives
they will be as nearly ready as
they possibly can be to suppress
any disorder that may occur.
that they will have TO
depend on Allied troops.
These preparations are made
with an eye to possible violence.
The Western Allies also are deal
ing. on an increasingly powerful
scale. with the propaganda phases
Of the march. aiming to counter
act any effect 1t may have in vim
ningN over adherentS to COM
in the Western sectors.
The Western radios-particu-
larly the American-in Berlin are
stepping up their own propaganda
programs. Newspaper campaigns.
too, are under way and will be
intensified as the war of words
gets hotter during the week OF
May a..
While the Reds are centering
their plans around massive rallies
in Eastern Berlin-reminiScent Of
the Parteitag of the NaZi regime
the Western powers not only
are avoiding the use Of this prop
aganda device, but are tightening
restrictions against large gather
ings in the Western sectors. Mass
meetings will not be permitted,
during the critical period. thus
depriving the Communists Of one
fertile field for stirring disorder.
Limit on Parades
In preventing any mass gather
ings of Germans the Western
Allies have taken a Arm decision
to forbid and to prevent by every
means at hand-including the use
of maximum force If necessary
any marches or parades by the
FDJ into che Western sectors.
1t was this danger that massed
Communist youths. melted by
their leaders, would attempt to
march into the Western sectors
and establish Red rule there that
aroused the greatest apprehen-
sion among Western Allied on
cials, The FDJ leaders at first
loudly proclaimed their intention
to march in. Now they are
changing their tune. Is it sincere
or deceptive?
American officials mince no
words about their determination
to stop any youth march into
Western Berlin. 1t will be pre-
vented at all cost and the full
power of the police will be exer-
cised.
1T is inevitable. 1t is pointed out.
that small groups Of Eastern Ger
mans and individuals will find
their way into the Western sec
tors. AS Berlin is constituted it
would be impossible to prevent
a certain amount of peaceful
traffic back and forth across the
sector lines. Even at the height
OF the Berlin blockade it was i'm
possible to seal off East from
West Berlin. That would require
squads Of police in every street
connecting the sectors. the closing
OIL OF buildings which open into
both sectors and the hating Of
the subway. which winds It's way
In and out Of the sectors.
AS long as these individual East
Germans or small groups are
peaceful and engage in no hostile
manifestations they will not be
molested and will be able to visit
West German stores and homes
at will. They will not. however,
be permitted to engage in any
parades or other mass demon :
strations.
Russians Are Warned
Most important of all, the Rus
slams have been given clearly TO
understand that this Is the inten-
ton OF the American, British and
French governments. The warn
ing has not been given on the
highest, formal diplomatic level.
but on the lower levels. subordi-
nate to High Commissioner John
J. McCloy.
Mr.. McCloy. addressing the Pill
grim Society In London earlier
this month. had this to say:
THE Communists will not sue
ceed in taking over the city uf
Berlin. The free men and women
OF the city will not permit 1t and
we viii not permit It. The Brit
ish. the French and the Ameri-
cans are fully determined and
fully united. We shall stay in
Berlin"
The warning by Mr.. McCIoys
subordinates has been more in
formal. but also more clear and
more precise. Moscow cannot fail
to understand that II 1t pushes
the East German youth into mass
of the Western sectors
they will meet prompt and effec.
tive police and military action.
There is accumulating reason
to believe that the youth march
Will not turn out TO be a serious
threat to the Western position in
Berlin. particularly since the pub
lie strengthening Of the police
and constabulary maneuvers with
the Berlin police have shown
Western intentions. But one can
never be sure.
II is big question whether the
Russians viii be able to get S00.-
600 young people to make the
march to Berlin, in rp:te Of such
Inducements as insurance policies
to cover injuries incurred there.
Eastern Berlin has had trouble
finding billets for sn many visitors.
Whatever happens. though, the
Western Allies intend &C be an