SOVIET REPLIES TO BRITISH NOTE ON BERLIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22690, 15 July 1948, Page 5

SOVIET REPLIES TO BRITISH NOTE ON BERLIN

(11.30 a.m.) LONDON. July 14. The Soviet Ambassador, M. Zarubin, delivered to the Foreign Office the Soviet reply to the British Note on Berlin.

With no indication of any relaxation in the Russian blockade of Berlin, a greater effort than ever will now be' made by British aircraft to fly in supplies of food and coal for the city’s western sectors as long as the necessity remains, says the Times correspondent in Berlin.

On concluding his inspection of air facilities, both in the British zone and at Gatow airport. Mr. Arthur Henderson. Secretary of State for Air, gave an assurance on Tuesday that all the air resources that could usefully be employed would be used to defeat the blockade.

“All possibilities including the use of gliders and more flying-boats, a r e being considered,” he said. “We are carrying out a humanitarian operation in order to save Berlin’s inhabitants from being used as pawns in a political contest which is not of our choosing.” While he had no authority to speak for the United States Air Force, he was confident the Americans had the same soirit of determination as the R.A.F. The “air lift” was essentially a joint enterprise—one which he described as the greatest peacetime air transport operation ever undertaken. The Daily Telegraoh’s correspondent in Berlin says the United States Military Government announced on Tuesday that the western sectors of Berlin new have sufficient food- for at least four weeks. Tn the United States sector there was sufficient fat for 57 days, sugar for 67 days, cereals for 47 days, flour for 28 day and potatoes for 10 days. Further supplies of dehydrated potatoes are being flown in.

“This is Time to Stand Firm,” Says Eden

(11 a.m.) LONDON, July 14. Two thousand Gormans cheered Mr. Anthony Eden and broke through the military cordon when he arrived at the British information centre in Berlin, state agency reports. He told German political leaders in a speech that the British Opposition strongly endorsed the measures that the western Allies had taken in Berlin. "They are the only means open to preserve peace,” he said. “If there was ever q time to stand firm it is this. We all in Britain admire the fortitude with which you are bearing the events. You are not prepared to be intimidated.”