Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Germany and Austria, Volume II

740.00119 Control (Germany)/4–248: Telegram

The United States Political Adviser for Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State

top secret
urgent
niact

Berlin, April 2, 1948—8 p. m.

770. Personal for Saltzman and Hickerson (Eyes Only). Reference mytels 748¹ and 749 April 1.²

Few additional developments affecting our Berlin situation have occurred since our last message. Soviet authorities have requested we close down effective May 1 US aid station which is midway on only highway available Berlin–Helmstedt traffic. Soviet representative also called on Chief of Staff OMGUS yesterday with request that US Signal Corps personnel stationed Weimar for purpose maintenance three repeater stations required for our official telephone service from Berlin to be removed from Weimar. British received similar request to remove their signal corps from Magdeburg. These repeater stations are necessary for maintenance of telephone cable lines. Special security measures have been taken by Soviet authorities in Soviet sector Berlin and we understand circulation is to be restricted from 9 p. m. to 7 a. m. daily. It is rumored that by 15 April Berlin will be surrounded by numerous control stations and that many streets will be closed to traffic. Thus far automotive traffic only highway connecting Berlin with British zone has not been interrupted, but we believe it only question of time until further difficulties there will be encountered. We also believe Soviets will endeavor interfere with our air traffic via the single authorized air corridor Berlin via Magdeburg and that initially they will protest against US commercial air traffic now available for Germans.

General Robertson called on General Clay today for discussion re further action. He said London has not viewed favorably idea of instituting some form retaliatory action against Soviet ocean shipping such as restrictive regulations re bunkering, passage through Suez Canal and like measures.³ Apparently London felt this would create too provocative a situation.

Robertson also inquired whether it might not be well to feel out Soviet authorities Berlin for purpose ascertaining whether compromise solution would not be possible. His deputy, Brownjohn, called yesterday on Soviet deputy, Lukyantehenko, in order obtain clarification Soviet intentions back of present step. While he was politely received, he found no inclination modify travel regulations which have been reported mytel 749. General Clay and I took position that as our reply to Soviet request was only about 24 hours old it would be better wait reasonable time before indicating any willingness make concession. We feel it would be better test out Soviet intentions now. If their present actions are part of larger and more ambitious program there is in our opinion nothing to be gained by hasty offer concessions. Obviously our logistical situation in Berlin is unfavorable and British and French supply situation is thin. However, there has been no interruption thus far in CAD freight traffic to Berlin. Food for 2 million odd Berlin residents supplied by US/UK/French from west thus continues available.

Number of intelligence reports, coupled with Soviet press and radio statements, confirm tightening Soviet security measures along entire line of demarcation between Soviet and US/UK zones occupation.

General Clay has been in communication with Department Army re continuation of dependents in Berlin. There are approximately 3000 here. Evidently Army has been under some pressure from Congressional and other quarters to return dependents to US. I understand matter will be left in General Clay’s hands. If any statement were published in Washington to effect arrangements were being made evacuate US personnel from Berlin it would have undesirable effect on our local situation.

Sent Department 770, repeated London personal for Douglas 102, Paris personal for Caffery 128, Moscow personal for Smith 97.

Murphy

1. Supra.
2. Not printed, but see footnote 1 to telegram 748, from Berlin, supra.
3. Telegram 749, April 1, from Berlin, not printed, reported that Murphy had been informed that the British Government was actively considering possible retaliatory measures against the Soviet Union including a proposal to refuse bunkering facilities to Soviet shipping and the imposition of restrictive regulations against Soviet shipping passing through the Suez and Panama canals (740.00119 Control (Germany)/4–148).