BERLIN BLOCKADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27028, 12 March 1949, Page 7

BERLIN BLOCKADE

DAILY THREAT TO PEACE AMERICAN POLICY REVIEWED “ FIRM STAND FOR RIGHTS ” NZPA—Copyright WASHINGTON, Rec. 11 p.m. Mar. 10. The Army Secretary, Mr Kenneth Royall, said to-day that the Berlin blockade was a day-to-day threat to the peace of the world. Mr Royall made the statement in his annual report on the status of the Army Department.

He said: “ From the beginning of the blockade to the present time the situation in Berlin has been tense. During all this period an effort has been made to stand firmly for American rights without being truculent. Often decisions have been close ones where an error on either side was entirely possible. Up to this time war has been avoided and America’s position maintained.

“It has been apparent that the Soviet authorities have had no intention either of respecting past agreements or of composing growing differences. On the contrary, it has been their manifest purpose to cause all possible confusion and conflict short of war in an effort to drive us from Berlin and diminish American influence in Europe and the world.

“The future of the Berlin situation, just as the future of other situations involving the Soviet Union, is hard to prophesy. It is difficult to deal with a nation which has no compunction against the use of threats, force and oppression to attain its desire.”

Mr Royall accused Russia of duplicity and falsification. He reviewed what he called “Soviet intransigence,” and listed attempts since 1945 to reach agreement with Russia. Mr Royall said: “We cannot, and will not. surrender our rights or principles. We will continue to do everything possible to avoid war. The seriousness of world conditions in early 1948 indicated the need for increasing our armed forces if America was to support the responsibilities and leadership to which it is irrevocably committed. Even with about half our army committed overseas, the maintenance of order and stability in the war-torn countries of Europe greatly over-burdens these relatively small forces assigned to occupation duties.” M Royall disclosed an effort to build up the army’s intelligence system. “The purpose of these activities is to keep the armed forces and the United States informed of the intentions and capabilities of potentially hostile foreign countries. The army had also gathered information concerning activities and conditions within the United States which may threaten internal security to the extent that troops would be needed to protect Federal property. World conditions had demanded that army intelligence activities be intensified in the coming year. The army will direct its efforts towards providing, on a world-wide basis, military intelligence that will enable the army to formulate its plans for helping to carry out' our national policy.”