DURHAM MINERS’ PROTEST

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27074, 24 June 1953, Page 9

DURHAM MINERS’ PROTEST

Cablegram To Mr Malenkov

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 8. Trade union officials representing the Durham miners tonight cabled the Soviet Premier, Mr Malenkov, protesting at the measures taken against demonstrators in last week’s revolts in Germany. Another message was sent to the Soviet Ambassador to Britain, Mr Malik. The cablegram to Mr Malenkov said: “The introduction of martial law and your tanks and guns may temporarily quell the revolt, but they will not quench the flame of freedom that burns in the hearts of the German people against the creed of totalitarianism.”

The message to Mr Malik said: “Our indignation is greater because the revolt came not from so-called warmongers but from genuine workers in overalls and dungarees. To shoot down workers who are demanding an improvement *in working conditions and the. easing’ of repressive measures of the East German totalitarian state is unpardonable, and a crime against the working people of the “world.” A cablegram, was also sent to the Lord Mayor of West Berlin, Mr Ernst Reuter, supporting his protest and asking him to pass on a message to the workers of East Germany.

YOUTH KILLED ON BORDER

(Rec. 8. BERLIN, June 23. Wolfgang Boehling, a 15-y,ear-old West Berliner, was killed today on the border between the East arid West sectors. Roehlihg, who was on the British sector bank of the canal, had called out a cheeky taunt to East German troops on the opposite bank. A single shot killed him. It was the first time anyone had been killed on Western territory by shots from the East. Afterwards a membership card of the West Berlin branch of the Communist Party belonging to Roehling was found in his pocket. Soviet troops, tanks and guns and armed East German police are still sealing off East Berlin which has been under martial law since last Wednesday’s riots.