BRITISH COMPLAINTS OF SOVIET ATTITUDE TO BERLIN CRASH

Grey River Argus, 17 April 1948, Page 5

BRITISH COMPLAINTS OF SOVIET ATTITUDE TO BERLIN CRASH

LONDON. April 15.

In the House of Lords to-day, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Jowitt, replying to Lord Bansittart, said that if rhe Government, as a result of the investigation into the Berlin air crash, was satisled that the Soviet fighter was to blame, it would claim compensation. Lord Jowitt said it would be ludicrous not to hear American witnesses at the inquiry. The Government could not agree with the Soviet contention that German witnesses should be regarded as unreliable. The British authorities, he said, were still willing to continue the investigation jointly. The Russians’ withdrawal showed that they did not wish to establish the facts but only wanted to use the inquiry for propaganda purposes. Lord Vansittart said he believed the Soviet had staged “this Berlin blackmail” to discredit Western democracy before the Italian elections.

Russians to Remove

Their Wrecked Fighter

(Rec. 9.15) LONDON, April 16 The Times Berlin correspondent states: The British authorities at Berlin last night gave permission fur Russian experts to examine the wreckage of the Yak fighter plane which collided with the Viking liner, and to remove it to the Soviet zone. The Russians will make their examination to-day in the presence of a British observer, who, however, will neither ask nor answer any Questions.

Berlin Crash Due to Soviet Plane,

Say German Witnesses

(Rec. 9.15) LONDON. April 16. The Daily Telegraph’s Berlin correspondent says: The German witnesses at the British inquiry into the Berlin air crash have asked for protection against possible Russian reprisals against them. Most of and the Russian zone.

tween the British sector of Berlin them live near the boundary be-

It is understood that the testimony of German witnesses indicates that the collision was caused ’ the Russian fighter pilot. Their names and addresses are likqly to be when the official report of the inquiry is issued. American, sa well as German witnesses, were examined on Thursday, and the inquiry is expected to conclude to-day (Friday). Soviet to Alter Berlin Currency BERLIN, April 15 Marshal Sokolovsky’s headquarters has instructed German economic authorities in the Soviet zone to go ahead with detailed plans for separ ate currency reform. German circles state that the reform will take effect as soon as the new bank notes can be printed—the end of May or aarly in June. The currency change-over is expected to disect. Berlin economically, says Reuter’s correspondent. It is be lieved that the Russians hone this, with the increasing traffic restrictions will finally force the western powers from the citv.