“FIRMLY RESOLVED TO GO ON”

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25608, 24 September 1948, Page 7

“FIRMLY RESOLVED TO GO ON”

Mr Bevin continued: “I am satisfied that there will be a number of manoeuvres to upset the Western allies. We are going to have a terrible lot of propaganda, but we are firmly resolved to go oA with our policy. I trust we have the nation's whole-hearted support. for I am convinced that it is essential for peace and security for many years to come.’’ Mr Bevin said that the Soviet had carefully calculated the food stocks necessary to feed Berlin. “The Russians assumed that in the matter of a few weeks we would be in such difficulties that we would have to abandon Berlin and that starvation could be imposed so quickly and disorder fomented so easily that our position would be untenable.”

He said that the problem of surmounting the blockade had been formidable. It was a very gallant, worthy piece Of organisation. Stocks of most of the essential commodities in the Western sector were higher than at the end of June, when the blockade was introduced. r

If this senseless blockade continues we are confident that with the combination of the two air forces w r e will sai<T^ e *° See w i n ter through,” he

Mr Bevin said that the issue of new currency in the Western zone had been remarkably successful. The British Government, however, was prepared to have the Soviet mark as the sole currency provided, so far as Berlin was concerned, it was dealt with under quadripartite authority. U we are to deal with it in any other way it means that we should be subject to pressure just as bad as the blockade itself, and it would be possible to paralyse our work and administration,” he said.

The East and West had to live together and say to each other: “You live m peace in the area you have got.” Mr Bevin continued. “We want to fight nobody. We have made probably the greatest sacrifices of any nation in the world for our recovery. A nation like that deserves to survive. It shall survive, whatever happens.” (Cheers)