STALIN’S DEMAND

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1945, Page 5

STALIN’S DEMAND

ALLIES NOT TO TAKE BERLIN Alleged Deal With Nazis (Rec. 9.50.) WASHINGTON, April 21. The American columnist, Mr. Drew Pearson, says: “American troops reached the Berlin suburb -of Pots - dam on Friday, April 13, but withdrew, largely because of a previous agreement with the Russians that the Russians were to occupy Berlin, and because of a Russian insistence that the agreement should be kept. A disagreement with the Russians began about four days before Mr. Roosevelt’s death, when Marshal Stalin sent him a sharp note. But the final decision to withdraw from Berlin s suburbs was made after Mr. Roosevelt’s death, largely by General enhower.’ Marshal Stalin tola Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill at Yalta that the Russians would be ready to begin an Oder offensive and to capture Berlin in May, after capturing Vienna. Mr. Roosevelt agreed, because he did not contemplate that American troops would be in Berlin before May. The Big Three agreed that Russian forces would occupy Berlin, and about thirty miles westward to the Elbe River. It . was agreed that British and Americans should send missions into Berlin to participate in the control thereof, but that Berlin would be occupied by the Russians. Marshal Stalin sent Mr. Roosevelt a brusque note four days before his death, accusing the United States of a deal with the Nazis to advance more rapidly through Germany. The inference was that the United States-German deal allowed the Nazis to transfer more tloops to the Eastern Front, and thus to kill more Russians. Mr. Roosevelt talked with Mr. Churchill. Then he bluntly replied: “The British and American advances were due to the excellence of their armies, and particularly to the preponderance of their air power. Our armies are interested only in a quick end to the war.” Mr. Churchill sent a note supporting Mr. Roosevelt. Marshal Stalin replied that if the British or Americans entered the Berlin area mapped out for the Russians, they jnust. withdraw. Later, General Eisenhower decided to withdraw from Fotsdam, because, firstly, .if the Russians were intent on taking Berlin, American lives could be saved: and American forces would, mop up behind the fines; secondly, if Americans entered and then withdrew, it would be bad for American morale; thirdly, Mr. Roosevelt’s funeral was to be held on April 14, and the advisers felt that America should have a chance to celebrate victory later, when she was not, in mourning.