110.11 AC/6–2952: Telegram
No. 551
The Director of the Berlin Element,
HICOG (Lyon) to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for
Germany, at Bonn
1
1375. Re Berlin to Bonn 1373, Vienna 25, London 242, Paris 360, Dept 1573, June 29.2 Secretary’s visit here most successful.3 At Gen Mathewson’s reception yesterday Secy was able to talk informally with local German officials, State Secretary Hallstein, Brit and Fr commandants and members of allied colony and local Germans. A Soviet group led by Ambassador Semeonov and Dengin also attended.
At Mayor Reuter’s dinner last evening Secy’s very sincere informal remarks made deep impression on German guests and his presentation of first book to new library, Karl Schurz–Abraham Lincoln Letters, considered thoughtful gesture which was much appreciated.
Secy’s press interview this morning at Rathaus, with approx 140 American, German and other nationality correspondents, appeared to go off without hitch (transcript being forwarded by separate cable).4
Finally, Secy’s speech at library cornerstone ceremony this morning at which Ger police estimate between 50,000 and 80,000 Berliners including many East Germans were present, hit right time. Customary silent German crowds applauded loudly when Secy stated “we shall remain in Berlin until we are satisfied that the freedom of this city is secure”.
That this is what Berliners want to hear at present juncture was also brought out in press conf where many questions indicated deep interest in what US intends to do shld there be another blockade.
Indication of what Secy’s symbolic visit meant to Germans can be gained from incident at termination of this morning’s ceremony: Little old lady escaped from crowd, presented herself to Secy saying she was from East Sector (substantiating this by showing [Page 1275] her papers); said that only hope of East Germans is in US and begged Secy to give her brief written message which she might carry back to bolster and sustain their faith.
Following Secy’s departure Mayor Reuter expressed to me his complete satisfaction with results of visit.
I am certain that Berliners are extremely appreciative of effort Secy made to visit them during trying days which they are experiencing; that they appreciate motives which prompted him to do so and that morale purpose which he had in mind in coming has been more than accomplished. Moreover, significance of his visit will be understood farther eastward.
Subject of Secy’s breakfast talk with Hallstein this morning will be transmitted by him directly from Vienna.5
- Repeated to Washington, Vienna, London, Paris, and Moscow; the source text is the copy in Department of State files.↩
- Telegram 1373 reported that Secretary Acheson had departed for Vienna at 1:15 p.m., June 29. (110.11 AC/6–2952)↩
- Secretary Acheson was in Berlin June 28 and 29. For his brief account of the visit, see Acheson, Present at the Creation, pp. 662–663. For the text of his statements at Mayor Reuter’s dinner on June 28 and at the cornerstone-laying ceremonies on June 29, see Department of State Bulletin, July 7, 1952, pp. 3–6.↩
- Telegram 1574 from Berlin, June 29, not printed. (662A.00/6–2952)↩
- Reference is to Secto 50 from Vienna, Document 119.↩