Department of State News Digest

an Clefford OR 3 Department of State Russia * of . NE EWS DIGEST PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR PRESS RELATIONS (For Departmental Use only, not to be republished) NO. 142 TRUMAN JULY 22, 1948 NATIONAL AND TICKER HIGHLIGHTS SERVICE Washington--(AP) -- -Clay, put under wraps on arrival from Berlin, begins quick round of talks on blockade crisis. London--(AP)--Western Allies reported ready to widen negotia- tions over Berlin to include several other German topics. Washington- -- (UP) -Senate investigators delve deeper into charges that spies are sneaking into US through UN. FOREIGN NEWS NEXT Western Allied note to Moscow on Berlin will agree to ex- tension of +-power talks to include all of Germany, provided Western Allies' rights to remain in Berlin are fully recognized and provided such talks are not held under pressure of Russian blockade of Berlin, according to gist of note prepared by British Foreign Office and ac- cepted with slight changes by Bidault before French Govt crisis. Wash received Mon and is now studying it, it is said. It is under- stood US draft note, submitted by Douglas to "Standing Committee" differed in one important respect. US desires to make reference to Art. 37 of UN Charter which carries settlement of disputes one step beyond Art 33 mentioned in first notes sent to Mos cow. Neither Brit- ish nor French look with favor on this idea in present circumstances. Stress is placed on fact that all 3 are agreed on fundamental of their right to be in Berlin. Proposed note will either ignore or pay little attention to question of feeding Berlin. Soviet offer of food is being studied. In so far as Russian move extends Soviet con- trol over Berlin and permits undue pressure on populace, however, it will meet opposition. It is probable that if French crisis proves too long drawn out, US and Brit will send their notes ahead and French will follow as soon as govt is formed. (Lon, all papers) Rus- sians begin allout attempt to use food, fuel and other materialistic Inducements to win West sector away from Western ideological concepts. They announce that on Aug. 1 Soviet-provided food will be ready for distribution to all Berliners. (Berlin, NY Times, Middleton, Her- Trib, Higgins) Bevin, in reply to Commons, hints at rising optimism that there will be satisfactory settlement in crisis. (Lon, Her-Trib, Russell) Quietly and with secrecy US dependents are moving out of Ber- lin. Some 4, 000 have left city. (Berlin, Times-Her) Secrecy surround- ing eastern movement of trainload of military equipment is lifted by Army announcement that equipment is going to England for use by B-29s. (Salina, Her-Trib)