Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, Central and Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

762A.00/9–2750: Telegram

The United States Commander, Berlin (Taylor) to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfort¹

confidential

Berlin, September 27, 1950—4 p. m.

537. Reourtels sent Frankfort 486 repeated Department 423 dated 20 September; sent Frankfort 508 repeated Department 444 dated 22 September; and sent Frankfort 522 repeated Department 460 repeated Paris for OSR 91 dated 26 September.²

In order to assess significance of current Berlin situation may be worthwhile summarize recent intensified Soviet zone and Soviet sector interference and antagonism.

1. Soviet sector power shut off September 20 and negotiations to date for re-establishment unsuccessful. Soviet representatives have indicated that in spite of west sectors offers to settle outstanding financial indebtedness due from west sectors for eastern power already received they are not in position to effect resumption of power deliveries from east. With new boiler in service, west sectors able through controls to provide their own needs but with increased consumption of coal. Berlin magistrat has recommended as countermeasure to Bonn that interzonal trade negotiations be broken off and that embargo be placed on shipments of steel from western Germany. This we now understand is under discussion in Bonn.

2. In retaliation for west sector arrest of 6 armed east zone police, the east Berlin police arrested 26 west Berlin policemen who lived in east sector. West Berlin authorities in turn picked up 52 east Berlin policemen. In a separate incident, 2 US military police and an accompanying German policeman were seized on sector boundary in Lichtenrade and the soldiers were held in the east zone for 13 hours. However, all of above persons have now been released by both sides.

3. Soviets recently moved barricade across boundary between Soviet zone and British sector in Gatow. Soviet and British troops faced each other for 8 days while negotiations took place at “higher levels”. The Soviets and east Volkspolizei have retired, and the British last night returned the barricade to its former position.

4. 8 barges are being held in Soviet zone for alleged crew list deficiencies and “illegal loading”. In retaliation British are now holding 5 barges on Elbe, some of which are owned by Soviet joint stock companies and which carry Soviet occupational and reparations shipments. Western Allies in Berlin will also implement counter-measures on waterways shortly.

5. On 22 September, Soviet-controlled German police asserted that boundary between US sector of Kreuzberg and Soviet sector Mitte was located along building line on US side of street. They began to patrol the street and sidewalks accordingly, with result that people living in US sector had to step into Soviet sector on leaving their homes. This action may cause complications reference police and fire protection and mail delivery. The east magistrat may choose to justify their position by the fact that they have in the past repaired the sidewalks and streets in front of the houses in US sector. However, west Berlin police have until now patrolled sidewalks on US side. On 26 September, east Berlin police began patrolling the sidewalks on the US side of the street.

6. Soviets have refused to make available additional locomotives to bring to Berlin special trains to industrial fair opening 1 October. Have also stated they will not permit increase in bus traffic. Soviet motives for above appear to be prompted by their desire to disrupt participation in Berlin fair by creating an atmoshere of tension in Berlin; and second, to foster series of disturbances with west which will assist to unify eastern sector population against west for purposes of elections on 15 October.³ Although Russian harassment should be met with firmness, feel this is no time for spectacular action possibly prejudicial to impending fair. We are not particularly alarmed over these recent Soviet actions, believing them symptomatic of election period. However, they are creating tension within city.

Sent Frankfort 537 repeated info Department 474.

Taylor

1. The source text was sent as 474 to the Department of State.
2. None printed; the first two telegrams reported on the power cut-off, while the last reported on interzonal trade. (862.2614/9–2050, 862A.2614/9–2250 and 962.15/9–2650)
3. For documentation relating to the elections in the Soviet Zone of Germany on October 15, see pp. 942 ff.