711.11 EI/8–1253
No. 581
Mayor Reuter to President Eisenhower1
Mr. President: Mr. Leo Cherne forwarded to me the picture taken in Washington in March 53 when you were kind enough to receive me.2 It was very kind of you to write on this photograph a personal dedication in remembrance of my visit to you. Thanking you for your kindness I should like to avail myself of the opportunity to express my warmest thanks for the food gift which we are at present distributing to the people of the Soviet Zone and East Berlin.3
As a matter of fact, this gift is the most effective way of assisting these really destitute people. Everybody attending the distribution of the food is deeply touched by the patience, with which these people wait for hours, by their poor clothing and also by their joy upon receiving their share. We shall do all we can in order to organize the distribution of the figt [food?] so that as many of these distressed people as possible are given an opportunity to participate in this relief program. There is no doubt that the distribution of food contributes much to demonstrate to these people that they have not been forgotten by the free world and that the free world backs them and is determined to help them wherever possible. Every food parcel so distributed strengthens the natural and untearable ties between these people living under unbelievably difficult economic and political conditions and the free world.
In order to cope with the unexpectedly great rush numerous West-Berliners have volunteered their help for the distribution. This attitude of the people of West Berlin is all the more remarkable as a considerable part of the people of West Berlin is also living in needy circumstances. In spite of every effort made by us there are still 225,000 unemployed who have to live on unemployment insurance and unemployment benefit.
You know that in spite of all difficulties the people of Berlin have never been diverted from their determination to maintain and defend the freedom and independence of Berlin. Without the [Page 1345] unparalleled attitude of the Berliners during the last years of revolts of June 16 and 17 which attracted the attention of the whole world would have never happened. Therefore, I should like to express my conviction and hope that, the stronger and healthier Berlin is as a whole, the greater will also be the power radiating from the City into the surrounding Soviet Zone. Therefore, the reduction of the number of unemployed in Berlin is an urgent political and moral concern of the entire free world. If we succeed in creating before long another 50 to 100,000 places of work we shall be in a position to add another decisive victory to the moral and political success achieved by the events of June 16 and 17 and the distribution of food which is still being carried through.
If, besides expressing my thanks for the kind dedication you wrote on the photograph, I spoke of the sorrows and needs of Berlin, I have done so, Mr. President, because I am well aware of the understanding and sympathy you have always shown for the needs of this City and its people.
With the renewed assurance of my highest esteem, I remain, Mr. President,
Yours sincerely,
- The source text was transmitted as an enclosure to an unnumbered despatch from Berlin dated Aug. 12, which states that the enclosure was sent to the White House on Aug. 25.↩
- Regarding Reuter’s visit to Washington, see the memoranda of conversation, Documents 570 and 571.↩
- For documentation on the food gift program for the Soviet Zone and East Berlin, see Documents 720 ff.↩