Russians Prepare For East German Regime

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22819, 14 December 1948, Page 5

Russians Prepare For East German Regime

(10 a.m.) BERLIN, Dec. 13. Western officials, commenting on reports that German Communist leaders and the Russian occupation authorities plan to set up a new East German Government next spring, point out that the plan follows closely the pattern used before, says the British United Press correspondent. After the occupation, a well-trained police force is formed and following the withdrawal of the occupational forces a new Communist Government takes over, supported by the police. The correspondent adds: “There is one disagreement between the German negotiators and the Russian officials The Russians do not like the Germans’ plan to make Leipzig the capital of tho new State instead of Berlin.

Cinemas Seized In East German Zone

(10 a.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 13

Two of the five States of the Soviet zone—Saxony and Thuringa—have adopted a law making all cinemas State property, says the Times' correspondent in Berlin. No compensation will be made to owners, but in Saxony an additional law has been passed under which it will be possible for for mer proprietors to continue as managers. A similar law is expected soon in other States in the eastern zone. The nationalisation of the cinemas will ensure even stricter control over whal films are exhibited to bring Eastern Germany in line with other “people’s democracies.”

Increase In German Reparations For Soviet

(10.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13. An average of 15 trains loaded with reparations from current production will leave Berlin daily for Russia, according to the British-licensed German News Agency quoted by Reuter's correspondent in Berlin. The average number until recently was about. 10 train-loads daily.

BERLINERS WANT AIRLIFT DOUBLED

(10 a.m.)

LONDON, Dec. 13.

The Lord Mayor of Berlin, Herr Reuter, said he intends asking _ the Western Allies to double the airlift from the present average of about 4000 tons daily to 8000 tons, says the British United Press correspondent in Berlin.

The Lord Mayor said: “Even 8000 tons is not. enough to give Berliners anything like a normal life.” He is also asking that Russian zone currency be declared invalid in Berlin. He had already had talks on that subject with the three Western Military Governments.

The Associated Press correspondent says that Herr Reuter also asked the Western Powers to reorganise the Kommandatura without the Russians.