Evening star., 1953-06-24
Allies Again Demand
East Berlin Reds
Lift Martial Law
BY the Associoled Press

BERLIN, June 24.-The West
ern allies demanded anew today
that the Russians lift martial
law in East Berlin. They also
rejected as unworthy of conSld-
Grafton Communist charges that
American officers melted the
rioting that spread through
Red-ruled East Germany.
The new demand came as
East German Prime Minister
Otto Grotewohl was telling his
Communist Party workers that
many Germans arrested in the
rioting were being released but
that the genuinely guilty"
would be punished severely.
The United States, British and
French commandants in Berlin
put their demand in letter to
Maj. Gen. P. T. Dibrova, Red
Army commander of forces
rushed into the East sector to
Quell the rioting. Gen. Dibrova
had charged previously that a
German arrested as a riot leader
had been hired by an American
in a unifor mthat bore two stars.
The only two-star general in
Berlin is Thomas C. Timberman,
the United States commandant.
Seen as Placating Move.
Mr.. Grotewohl's statement was
seen as a placating move to a
population simmering with re-
sentiment and still under martial
law eight days after long -smol-
dering dissatisfaction with Red
rule exploded into revolution.
Western circles reported as
many as 10000 workers in Soviet
Zone jails. another 1000 in East
Berlin prisons. The severe
punishment Mr.. Grotewohl talked
about was spelled out by 27 sum-
mary executions by Russian
Army riflemen and evidence that
the East German local courts
are considering the same judg-
ment in few cases.
The East German regime dis
closed also that it had invited
its subjects to air their griev-
ances in Red-sponsored public
discussions.
Promises Account.
Mr.. Grotewohl said the govern
ment. in spite of many attacks
on it, had a duty to perform and
would not throw in the sponge.
But he promised to make account
to the Parliament at it's next seS-
sion. as yet uncalled. and "the
peoples representation may then
make its decision"
The Communist chief said he
thought the situation required
more of solution than mere
designations.
I'VE have the duty to make
good the mistakes of the past"
he said.
Describing Increased social
benefits promised by his govern
ment, Mr.. GroteWohl said he
would make up the extra expense
by cutting back appropriations
for heavy industry and for the
fedgling armed forces. The So
Wet zone army is estimated to
number about 125.0O0 men, but
plans to expand it to more than
100000 have been in prospect.
May Lift Martial Law.
The Northwest German Radio
carried a report that the Rus
slams were considering lifting of
martial law in East Berlin
within the next few days" but
would continue it in such hot
beds as Leipzig. Halle, Chemnitz,
Gera and RoStock.
There was no confirmation of
this report, or of another car
ried by the radio saying inter-
city elevated traffic would be re-
Sumed in Berlin July /. This
could mean a further lowering
of the barriers on the border di-
viding East and West Berlin
and as a consequence the can
ceiling of the martial law de-
cree.
Soviet troops patrolled the
allied highway between Berlin
and West Germany to keep
Western traffic moving and to
avoid any contact with the res
tive Eastern population. The
entire city of Berlin is surround
ed by the Soviet occupation zone.
Entry to Berlin from the west is
along the 100-mile autobahn.
The new policy obviously was
designed as safety valve to keep
the East zone from exploding
again into open warfare, but the
Reds Radio Berlin commented
that the discussion sessions also
would give the government a
chance to explain its new
course"