Sokolovsky Declares Blockade is “Reciprocal” Measure

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22698, 24 July 1948, Page 5

Sokolovsky Declares Blockade is “Reciprocal” Measure

(10 a.m.) LONDON, July 23. Russia was blockading Berlin because the United States made the Russians obtain special permits to visit the American occupation zone, Marshal Sokolovsky told the United Press correspondent when he attended a diplomatic reception. It was the first time for several months that Marshal Sokolovsky attended an all-nations’ gathering or appeared publicly.

He called Russia’s action a “reciprocal” measure countering the American regulations and said that Russia would lift the blockade if the their zone to Rus-

“For three years we permitted the Americans free access over the international railroad and over the highway through our zone to Ber lin,” he said. “But in June the Americans ordered that all Russians going to the United States zone would have to have visas, so we reciprocated.” The State Department in Washington declined to comment

Mar. Sokolovsky on Marshall Sokolovsky’s statement but it and army officials are carefully studying the interview. A high army official said that many of Marshal Sokolovsky’s statements did not coincide with the facts, but he believed they showed a leaning toward a more conciliatory Russian attitude. American diplomatic sources believe the interview will certainly be considered by British and French officials seeking a solution of the Berlin problem.

The Russian miltary administration announced that from August 1 only postage stamps bearing a special Russian overprint may be used for letters and parcels posted in the Soviet zone and the whole of Berlin. Letters and parcels bearing stamps issued by the western occupation authorities will not be accepted for delivery after that date.

U.S. DENIAL OF SOVIET CHARGE

(11 am.) LONDON, July 23. The United States Deputy Military Governor, Major-General Hays, denied Marshal Sokolovsky’s allegation that the American Military Government had restricted travel in the American zone. General Hays said the Russians two months ago ordered that the American liaison section in the Soviet zone could only leave the zone at Helmstedt. The Americans several weeks later applied the same rule to the Soviet liaison section in the American zone.