The Bay of Plenty Times FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1948. MR DEVIN AND BERLIN

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14712, 2 July 1948, Page 2

The Bay of Plenty Times FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1948. MR DEVIN AND BERLIN

Mr Kevin’s statement on the situation in Berlin, which Bad been eagerly awaited not only in the House of Commons but a iso throughout Great Britain and the Commonwealth, and which has received the endorsement of all political parties at Home and of the United States and France as well, should have convinced Moscow of the Western Nations’ fixed determination not to be bluffed out of Berlin. If Russia is not bluffing they have shown that they are prepared to. accept the consequences. The Foreign Secretary’s review of the tense situation in Germany was not framed under the immediate pressure of events, but has been the result of calm deliberation and the weighing of all the relevant facts' over a long period. Two months ago before the Russian attitude had hardened to the extent tlpit it has now, Mr Kevin said:

“The rights of the United Kingdom to be in Berlin are firmly based on agreements which were entered into by the European Advisory Commission and at the time of the unconditional surrender of Germany, between the four Allied Governments. They are reinforced by agreements and undertakings reached between the four Commanders-in-Chief since the Four Power occupation. There can be no question that all these agreements and undertakings are as' equally valid and binding upon all four Powers concerned today as they were at the time when they were entered into. We are in Berlin as of right. 11 is our intention to stay there.” Mr Kevin presciently added, “1 have no doubt that the steadiness of our attitude will be clearly shown if put to the test.” How near we may be to the time of testing at this very moment, it is impossible to say, but it is certain that should that time come, neither Britain and her Empire, nor any of the Western nations will flinch from it. Not one of these nations wants to go to war. Their people are appalled at the very thought of it, but at the same time they know that the best way to bring it about is to show weakness or irresolution in the face of Russia’s consistent pressure. This, as Mr Kevin has clearly shown, they are not likely to do.