THE CRUCIAL TALK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26853, 18 August 1948, Page 5

THE CRUCIAL TALK

Sixth Moscow Meeting Passes

NO DIRECT SUGGESTION YET OF SUCCESS

N.Z<P.A.—Copyright. Rec. 10 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. After last night’s Kremlin meeting, the longest yet, none of the three Western envoys would give the slightest hint that their sixth talk with Mr Molotov had been any more conclusive than the previous five, but the feeling is growing in London that this latest exchange of views niust have indicated decisively one way or the other whether any purpose was to be gained by continuing the discussions. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says there is every reason to believe that last night’s talk was the crucial one. The Western envoys, he points out, acted on what are believed to have been the final instructions from their Governments in answer to Mr Molotov’s proposals about Berlin and Germany generally. These instructions were received since tliey saw Mr Molotov last Thursday. The correspondent also points out that the news that British Ministers yesterday discussed plans for the slowing of releases from the armed forces is probably an indication that the international situation is not likely to be improved as a result of the Moscow talks.

The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Herald says if th? Moscow talks Anally break down it will be because the Soviet Government's real purpose is to oust the Western Allies from all share in the control and administration of Berlin, and that they wish for no settlement on any other terms. The Western envoys returned to the British Embassy after the conference, which lasted three hours and 40 minutes.

diplomatic circles pointed out that Russia could not possibly go to war at present because of the unreliability of the occupation troops. Moscow was dissatisfied with Marshal Sokolovsky’s policies, but did not want to replace him during the present crisis because of the propaganda advantage- it would give the Western Allies. Allied Policy Unchanged Speaking in Frankfurt, the American Military Governor. General Lucius Clay, said to-day: ‘‘ I have no indication of any change in the policy of the Western Powers Western Germany or of any abandonment of the preparation for the creation of a provisional Government. Of course, I do not know what decisions may have been reached in Moscow.”

Berliners’ Plight

“The Berlin air bridge has shown effectiveness, but Uving conditions have reached a degree of difficulty that must be hard to imagine outside Berlin, ’’ says the British-licensed Telegraf. “For three months Berliners have received no fresh meat Vegetables and fruit have become rarities. Milk is reserved for babies. ' It is natural that the eyes of aU Berliners are on the Moscow negotiations.”

General Clay denied a suggestion that he and his principal advisers were threatening to resign if the Western Germany policy was changed. British officials in Berlin said that the Russian authorities had ordered farmers in the Russian zone to harvest crops -immediately, whether ripe or not. The crops are being harvested night and day. It is believed the order is the result of the Russian, offer in July to feed the whole of Berlin. Russian Fighters Active

The Soviet-licensed Vorwaerts states that the present state of affairs cannot continue. The current unbearable situation can only be settled by a peaceful Four-Bower settlement of the whole German problem. The Liberal Democratic newspaper Mon tags Echo claims that the Communists have prepared a purge list of hundreds of thousands of anti-Com-munists upon whom revenge will be taken if the Western Allies leave Berlin, states the Associated Press correspondent in Berlin. The newspaper adds that if the Communists achieved unchallenged control they would wage a vengeance campaign which would “make' St. Bartholomew’s night massacre of the Huguenots in Paris in 1572 look like child’s play.”

Britain protested to the Russian occupation officials after two Yak fighters dived within' 100 feet of a Viking passenger aircraft flying from Berlin along the regular corridor to the west, says Reuter’s Berlin correspondent. An official British statement said the Yaks “ buzzed ” the Viking, then broke away. The British informed the Russians before hand about the Viking’s flight. • A Royal Air Force Vampire jet plane, based on the British zone of Germany, made a forced 'ladling six miles inside Russian-occupied territory to-day. British officers communicated with Russian officials in an attempt to recover the aircraft. The pilot was reported to be unhurt.

Russian Troops Unreliable Desertions among Soviet troops in Berlin are rising steadily, says Montags Echo. Whole units, particularly on the zonal frontier, have become so unreliable that they have had to be sent back to Russia.

The newspaper adds that Soviet