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

740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–2448: Telegram

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

top secret

Berlin, November 24, 1948—10 p. m.

2808. In connection with mytel 2795, November 22,¹ it occurs to me that a brief recapitulation of the continuing and recently intensified Soviet aggressive moves to split Berlin might be of value. Although these developments have been reported from day to day, both through official channels and through press services, their significance does not appear to have been fully grasped in some quarters. Consequently, any refusal or reluctance to accept a solution for the currency and blockade situation which might be worked out at Paris would easily become a useful tool for Soviet propaganda, as well as a cause for misinterpretation on the part of the neutral nations and world opinion in general, unless there is full knowledge and understanding both of the realities of recent Soviet actions in Berlin and of the motives which clearly lie behind these actions.

Conditions which make it impossible today to speak of a unified city administration in Berlin are direct result of Soviet efforts to undermine authority, jurisdiction, functioning, and existence of City Assembly (and Magistrat) elected in free democratic election October 20, 1946. As Department is aware, Soviet pressure against duly elected non-Communist Berlin authorities commenced soon after their election but was intensified in recent months. Even during period when SC was discussing Berlin question and when temporary lull might have been expected, relentless and ruthless Soviet pressure continued and increased. Following are some of more flagrant Communist moves in recent weeks against legitimate Berlin authorities:

1. Arbitrary “dismissal” by Soviet military administration of city councillors Reuter and Klingelhoefer (mytel 2753, November 16, repeated London 855, Moscow 740, Paris 932²) from their Magistrat posts and their replacement by stooges, thereby splitting Berlin traffic and public utilities and economic departments (in addition to departments already split—Food, Labor, Post and Telegraph, Police).

2. Threatening official Soviet letters to Dr. Haas, city treasurer, and acting Mayor Friedensburg (Mytel 2796, November 22, repeated London 873, Paris 955, Moscow 751³).

3. Refusal by Soviet military administration to recognize City Assembly’s decision to remove Waldemar Schmidt, SED head of Magistrat Labor Department (mytel 2547, October 19, repeated London 751, Paris 808, Moscow 649³) thus causing split city labor department.

4. Creation in Soviet sector of “independent” Social Democratic Party (USPD) and promotion so-called “democratic bloc” (representing Soviet-dominated political parties, trade unions and other satellite organizations) in obvious endeavor split and counteract legal quadripartitely-recognized SPD, CDU, and LDP.

5. Threatening personal safety of Berlin officials by allowing SMA military tribunal to charge six of them with responsibility for inciting September 9 disturbances (mytel 2596, October 24, repeated London 783, Paris 841, Moscow 676³).

Following their original delaying tactics with respect to holding of elections this year in Berlin Soviets and SED have made clear fact that they will neither permit elections to be held in Soviet sector nor sanction SED participation in Western sector elections scheduled for December 5. Moreover, Soviet-licensed press, CDU and LDP splinter groups, and “democratic bloc” have publicly denounced elections and urged Berliners not to vote (see mytel 2729, November 12, repeated London 842, Paris 913, Moscow 732³), although harping on necessity for “orderly, democratic elections.” Soviet-oriented elements have resorted to thinly-disguised threats to induce Berliners to abstain from voting. Violence of Soviet press campaign against December 5 elections indicates they are deeply disturbed over likelihood of overwhelming Western success.

Soviet measures to draw net even tighter around Western sectors began with checking of vehicles at sectoral boundaries on October 18 and establishment numerous checkpoints to prevent flow of food, coal and other commodities into Western sectors from Soviet zone and sector. This was followed by announcement permits would be required for all goods crossing sectoral boundaries (mytel 2715, November 10, repeated Paris 903, pouched London, Moscow³). Intersectoral distribution of newspapers largely stopped since mid-September boycott of Soviet-licensed papers by Western sector newsdealers following establishment Soviet-sponsored newspaper distribution monopoly which prevented circulation of Western sector papers in Soviet zone and sector. In past few weeks Soviets have been making feverish plans to fit pattern of electric power distribution to sectoral boundaries rather than present overlapping system of grids, in obvious preparation for future use to meet their needs. Campaign of threats through official announcements of Reichsbahn Direktion and Soviet controlled press to cut off S-bahn (rapid transit) service for Western sector and break off intersector U-bahn (subway) service, coupled with reports of material seized from railway yards and warehouses in Western sectors, presages probable further action in immediate future against city transportation system (see also mytel 2766, November 18, repeated London 861, Paris 937, pouched Moscow⁴).

Present unilateral Soviet decision introduce new identification cards for Soviet zone and “city of Berlin” (mytel 2770, November 18, pouched London, Moscow, Paris⁴) if implemented in usual Communist fashion could bring about effective separation Soviet and Western sectors Berlin. No definite pronouncement has yet been made on whether Soviets will “require” all Berliners possess new identification, but Western observers regard this as ominous move with possible far-reaching political consequences.

Foregoing summarizes situation as of today. These facts show how far problem has gone beyond blockade and currency impasse of last July.

Sent Department 2808, repeated Paris for Bohlen and Jessup 963, London 879; Department pass Moscow as 755.

Murphy

1. Not printed; in it Murphy reported the text of a Clay cable to the Department of the Army in which he said, inter alia, that agreement on a single currency for Berlin would be valueless without the reestablishment of quadripartite supervision and a single government for the entire city (740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–2248).
2. Not printed.
3. Not printed.
3. Not printed.
3. Not printed.
3. Not printed.
3. Not printed.
4. Not printed.
4. Not printed.