762A.00/4–450: Telegram
The Director of the Berlin Element, HICOG (Page) to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfort1
577. Deptel 2101 to Frankfort, repeated Berlin 82 Special May Day committee representing labor, political parties, sports organizations [Page 839] and Magistrat is preparing program. Three speakers will be Reuter, for Berlin; Arnold, Minister-President North Rhine Westphalia, for western Germany; and Irving Brown (AFL) representing international labor. Committee intends solicit principal member unions International Federation Free Trade Unions for expressions support. It would appreciate all efforts get large volume letters or telegrams addressed “Berlin May Committee 1950, Nuernberger Strasse 55, Berlin W 30”. Desirable such communications arrive early to permit use in press and radio before May 1.
Strongly recommend desirability expressions support from non-Communist labor leaders, not only in US but particularly other western countries. All labor leaders welcome here May 1 but committee emphasizes speakers limited to three already mentioned.
It should be borne in mind that May Day rally in Berlin this year transcends exclusively labor manifestation. All political parties and various civic groups and associations are participating, with active collaboration Magistrat. Event should be viewed as collective demonstration people of west Berlin in support freedom and democracy. This theme should be kept in mind in addition to traditional labor aspects in commentaries or messages on this occasion.
Sent Frankfort 577, repeated Department 479, Paris 136, London 28, Rome 4.
- The source text was sent as 479 to the Department of State.↩
- Not printed; it suggested that May 1 might “provide the opportunity to get counter-campaign to Berlin FDJ Whitsuntide rally into gear… to turn May 1 into impressive demonstration of organized labor against Sov policy.” (762.00 May Day/3–2950)↩