BUSINESS PARALYSIS IN WEST BERLIN: COAL AND FUEL CUTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22694, 20 July 1948, Page 5

BUSINESS PARALYSIS IN WEST BERLIN: COAL AND FUEL CUTS

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Coryright.)

(11.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 19. The Associated Press correspondent in Berlin says that economic paralysis is spreading in western Berlin. Nearly 1000 businesses have closed since the Eussian blockade cut off the Euhr coal supplies.

British and American officials disclosed that the Eussian zone owes Berlin 75,000 tons of food and agri-

cultural supplies. Some of

;he debt dates back to 1946.

The German News Agency said that the Military Governments of the western sectors of Berlin, to conserve fuel stocks, have ordered all food manufacturing enterprises, with the exception of bakeries and margarine factories to close down immediately.

Restrictions on Use of Fuel The agency said that public and private railways, river shipping, nurseries. schools, universities, theatres, cinemas, political parties and trade unions had been barred, as from today, from using any solid fuel stocks except for preparing midday mealsPublic catering establishments have not been affected by the order. Reuter's diplomatic correspondent says it is learned in London that the British and American air lift to Berlin will continue without interruption no matter how many Soviet planes announce their intention to fly in the three corridors. The statement followed a Russian warning in Berlin that four groups of Yak fighters would fly in the air corridors today. “War Psychosis in Britain” The Soviet licensed newspaper Nacht Express says that the British press is in the grip of a war psychosis. “There are grounds for believing, however, that the politicians have more sense than the militarists,” the paper adds. “The sensible way out is to restore the force of the Potsdam agreement.” Reuter’s correspondent in Warsaw says the Polish Foreign Office said that Poland was prepared to continue celling coal to the western Allies in Germany if they made their own transport arrangements outside Poland. No renly will be sent to the Soviet Note reiecting the demand for lifting the blockade of Berlin until after the Foreign Secretary. Mr. Ernest Bevin, returns from the West European Union conference, says Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent. The American Military Governor, General L. Clay, at the end of the conference of western eommunders-in-Chiefs in Berlin, said the Berlin crisis was not discussed-

The Allied air lift is being increased. The Americans, in 24 hours up to 4 p.m. on Sunday, delivered. 1506 tons, of suoplies in western Berlin, including 845 tons of food and 652 tons of coal. Two hundred and ten British transports. including 106 Dakotas. 90 Yorks and 14 Sunderland flying-boats, in 24 hours to noon on Sunday made continuous food flights into Berlin.

i Formidable Undertaking: Nevertheless, the Allies realise that the nrospect of supplying 2,500,000 Berliners by air through the short days of winter is going to be formidable. The Manchester Guardian said the western Allies for the moment must be content to continue the air provisioning of Berlin and do all they can to consolidate the western defences against a new act of Russian aggression;

The paper added that the flight of American Superfortresses to Britain was a “symbolic movement of great importance and encouragement.” The Daily Express political correspondent said the western Powers are discussing the degree of bluntness to be used in the next Note to Moscow. It added that Washington is believed to be pressing for a strong line. Paris wants a more conciliatory attitude, while Whitehall is trying to steer a middle course.