https://declassified.library.utoronto.ca/files/original/d7c827d05e3bb03c91bb66fd58aa62a3.pdf fece5324c5d0b35037014d433584791d PDF Text Text - Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de lo Loi sur /'occes a /'information Iv• ·rxt. cttAl'A FitE No .......... SECURITY NoY.eI.nJ:i ~r.. ;2l, .. l.9.5;2,......... Date· ... .FROM: Canadian Ambassador, TO: r---~...i:..·rence: 1~....... CLASSIFICATION SECRET . BONN, Germany. THE SECRETARY OF STATE .FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, CANADA .................................................................................. s 1--;---.;S:)1.ulllhJ ect: 1 ..... .. Trip ..t 9 . . B.~rlin . ......................................................... . 2 +~, - 8 -J - - I have just returned from a four day trip to Berlin. I left here by car on Thursday morning, November 13th, for Hannover. The first replacements for the 27th Canadian Infantry Brigade arrived in Hannover from Rotterdam on the evening of that day. I attended at the station with Brigadier Walsh and greeted the two trains which brought in the 700 odd replacements. Brigadier pangman the new commander arrived with the first consignment and I was thus able to m~t and greet him. I had hoped to be in Hannover in time·to say goodbye to the two train loads of men returning to Canada after their tour of duty in Germany, but could not make it. l i 9 10 _......_,_ •-_;__ __ ! NOV27 1S52 Copies Re_ferred To.. P.9-f.l: , ..... . . . . NAT.Q, P.~r.:i.s, .... B~J.giWP-,.. .... Hqi;L~p,q.,.. .... Lo:P.on,.. . .... MC? ~-q9}'{... . No. of Enclosures Post File No............... . 2. I was told that plans are being changed and that the tour of duty coming up is to be eighteen months for both married and single men instead of one year for married and two years for single, which presently applies. I also learned that hereafter the changeover will be by units which is again a very excellent change. 3. I must say that a Canadian may well feel proud of these Canadian troops. They are largely young recruits coming to a strange land for the first time. They are well paid, are not living under a state of war, and are naturally filled with the exuberance of youth. Given these conditions it•is of necessity difficult to control them. There has been the odd bit of trouble but I must admit that I rave been amazed with the little trouble we have had. It reflects on the excellent leadership provided to them and upon the men themselves. The Canadian lads who a re serving in Germany are gaining an invaluable experience and return to Canada much better Canadians for this experience. It is generally admitted that there is no better trained nor disciplined group of soldiers in Germany. Our investment in the support and maintenance of this group is not only a defence one but it is above all else an investment in Canadian citizenship. 4. s I went up to Berlin on the British military train on the evening of the same day, the 13th, and arrived there next morning to start on a 6eries of most interesting and informative interviews. I called on the British Commander, General Coleman, and on the American Commander, General :Mathewson. I had an interview with Colonel schanze 1 u. s. Head of Mission to the soviet Forces of occupation. I also had a chat with General Dewhurst who occupies a similar position with the British Forces. I called on Mr. Barnes, Head of the American division which keeps check on the political and economic developments ") • • •000124 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de lo Loi sur /'occes a /'information 31 ,. l. i ... , l ,. l .. t L_ 0 .. ( V V -.~ '- •1 ·\' 000725 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur /'acces a /'information -2- in the Russian zone of Germany. I had a chat with Mr. H. stierer who occupies in the British set up, the same position as does Barnes in the American one. I had an interview with Dr. Ferdinand Friedenburg, who represents the German ~anister of Economics in Berlin and who is also a member of the Bundestag here in Bonn. I had a long talk with Dr. Walter Schrieber, Deputy I,ayor of Berlin. May;or Reuter was away. I~ a long interview with Bishop Dtbelius and I also had a long talk with Mr. Fred Taylor, head of RIAS, and Dr. T. Friedenau, Chief of the Free Jurists Organization. I attended a luncheon extended to me by the head personnel of the Trade Organization of Berlin, that is the export branch of the Berlin Chamber of Com11erce. ·I spent an afternoon at a meeting of members of this branch when we discussed participation in the International Trade Fair at Toronto. I gave a dinner and a luncheon and all in all had a reasonably busy time for the four days I was there. I returned here on the 18th. 5. I wont detail what transpired at all these interviews I will give you first some general impressions formed and thereafter I may comment on individual impressions. but 6. MYfirst impression is that the people of West Berlin are in excellent heart. The last time I was there a couple of months ago, I came away with the feeling that a strong defeatist attitude prevailed and that the general public looking to the future and the seeming futility of it all were beginning to feel "Oh what is the use". One sensed the feeling that the absaption of West Berlin into the Eastern zone was inevitable and that it mibht as well come now and get it over with. If that was the feeling, and I now doubt it, I am now convinced that at the moment this feeling does not prevail. As thin 6 s transpire in the Russian zone, the more the Berliners feel that they will fight to the last ditch before they are over run by the gang in control of such zone. 7. I used to think that we would be better out of Berlin and I have so expressed myself in the past although I qualified my opinion by sa"'1.ng that however much one would like to get out, that withdJ:,awal was impossible. As I have said, I return convinced that from a long range and overall view, we are better to stay right where we are. so long as we are in Berlin, so long will the Russians be unable to bring under. complete control and domination, the people of East Germany. we sit right in the middle of the zone and by a multitude of means we can tell the story of freedom to the people. I am sure that the uneasy position of Russia in her zone must also create problems for her in the satellite states where stories of Russia's troubles in her zone must of necessity percolate. s. I also returned convinced that while we will be subject to constant and shifting pressure that the Russians will not try to enforce a complete blockade of Berlin. we will have our troubles but we must be steadfast and firm and stick it out. I am sure that the people of West Berlin will stick as long as we do. you may reman ber that in one of my reports I mentioned the temporary bridge across the Elbe River which has not been repaired and which must some time give out, which it was ... • 3. 000726 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divu/gue en vertu de la Loi sur l'acces a !'information ,. -3suspected would be used as an excuse to stop all traffic on the autobahn. The main bridge was blown up by the retreating Germans. I now learned that the Russians have started to replace this permanent bridge and when I was in Berlin they were hard at this job. I cannot figure this out. They may feel that the day may come when they will need it for military purposes. whatever actuates them the result is that at the moment they are hard at work. 9. It will be remembered that a month or so ago the main lift lock on the Mitteland canal was closed for repairs thus holding up barge tra±'Tic from the west to Berlin. The reason given was the need to repair these locks. well there has been no attempt to do any repairs and within the last week or so the locks are being enclosed within wooden walls ostensibly to enable repair work to be undertaken but likely for the purpose of being able to argue that repairs are going on while they are not. The commanders are now concerned with the question of reprisals as they can stop Russian traffic on Berlin canals. However they hesitate to start a war of reprisals. we shall see. As you know the Russians have caused a canal to be built to by-pass Berlin. This was opened for traffic and shortly after coll~psed and is still in that condition. I hear that it will take a year or so before it will be usable. Typical Russian construction methods. 10. With respect to conditions in the Russian zone, it is becoming ever more clear that they are becoming increasingly serious. The flow of refugees into Berlin is ever on the increase. Hitherto the bulk of the refugees have been people in the middle and older age groups. Professional people, businessmen, and members of the white-collar class. Now the majority are younger people including deserters from the Volks Polizei as well as young men getting out to evade conscription for the so-called army. The sovietization of the land is starting. It takes the form of formation of co-operatives at the start but the people know that this is only a forerunner for collectivization. Young farmers are getting out before they become slaves on state farms. The food situation is serious through a failure of production and harvesting and through faulty distribution. Furthermore, they are having trouble forcing deliveries of food from the farms. on top of this an ever growing horde of state employees plus army, Russian forces police forces, etc. having a first charge on food supplies, is leaving little for the civilian population. sabotage is ever on the increase and a serious incipient resistance movement is arising. The Russians are doing their utmost to stop the flood of information from the free world which reaches all over the eastern zone through RIAS, press, letters, messages, etc. ~owever, with Berlin where it is, and with the West in West Berlin, they cannot stop this. It is clear that the hatred of Russia and all things Russian, of the stooge government leaders, is ever on the increase. The big signs may say that they all love Stalin but so far as I could ascertain it would take a microscope to find a real lover of that estimable gentleman. 000727 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur l'acces a /'information • -4/ 11. I took a trip over to the last sector of Berlin to take a look at the much heralded/master construction project which is underway on Stalin Allej... It is a terrific project but I think that the Russians will rue the day they ever started it. on both sides of this street for about a mile there is arising a great series of large apartment houses ten or twelve stories high. They are most attractive from the outside but likely jerry-built within. When the job is done and the street built it will be a sight to behold. The building is taking place in a section of east Berlin which is a shambles. The ruins of war surround the project undisturbed from the day when the section was_i!lattened. This new construction stands out like a sore unu:nbin a scene of unbelievable desolation. All construction in the east zone or nearly all of it is being delayed while everything is being concentrated on this so-called show-place of socialism. A special tax is being imposed over the zone to pay for it. Train loads of people are being brought on ncooktsn tours to see it. These buildings are to house the officials of the state, the activists and all the others of the privileged classes which follow upon the heels of socialism as practiced there. I am sure that the only people who will approve will be those who live in these super-places and at that they may well fall down on them. on all sides I heard that the result was ever increasing bitterness. people return home wondering why they have to pay a tax for that and live themselves under impoverished conditions. I am afraid that these ingrained communists have little sense of psychology. 12. I made some enquiries about possibilities of getting immigrants in Berlin since they have this great problem of refugees. We havi.,_~d up there that regardless of the protestations, th~ywelcome help in absorbing these people by movemnt abroad. "The fact is that there is great resistance to the loss of any of these people, particularly the young ones. They seem to think that some day Berlin will be the capital again and that they want people to be there when it happens. They also argue that they are moving these people out several hundred a day to the west zone and that they are being rapidly absorbed there. It looks strange to me but I am beginning to believe that we are going to find it ever more difficult to get from here the type of person we want and need. 13. Now a few words on the viewpoint of Messrs. Barnes and Stierer above mentioned, as well as views expressed by Colonel Schanze and General Dewhurst. They say that there has been no deployment of any increased numbers of Soviet forces. The situation is the same in this field. There has been no marked flow of new material of war into the zone. Shipments have been routine. There is no sign of preparation for war and everything is as it has been in the past. The officers have a very low opinion of the East German army being formed. The morale is very very low. They have tried to start the army from the bottom insteac of doing as they should have, start from the top. There are about 90,000 000728 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de la Loi sur /'acces a /'information T -5- down at the heels, poorly clad, improperly housed young men, largely recruited from the indoctrinated FDJ group. They are the long-haired boys constituting the scum of the population. Real men are not joining and wont until forced to do so. My informants did not seem to be alarmed about this so-called army in the making. So far as th economy is concerned, they are in agreement that it is running down rapidly. Instances of resistance are growing as evidenced by breaking of breaking of windows, and other acts. Res~tment and hatred is evergrowing. The picture these men ,~nt is not a hopeful one from the Russian standpoint. 14. MYinterview with the deputy Mayor was enlightening. He is a CDU supporter and strongly behind Dr. Adenauer and his policies. He says, and it seems to be generally agreed in Berlin, that there is no hope of unification because Russia is not prepared to agree to any such thing at least on terms which we can accept. Generally, I found that by and large no one expects any four power meeting or anything to emerge therefrom if there were one. Schreiber says that west Germany must integrate at once with the west. That she must join the EDC. That the greatest possible strength must be built up as fast as possible. He argues that when a decent measure of strength has been created then they can start to negotiate with Russia but not before. He says, and I agree with him, that the main object of Russia is to get American troops off this continent. He says that when the time comes, the Americans can with the consent of Western Europe, suggest to Russia that if she will hand back East Germany to Germany, and withdraw therefrom, and consent to the complete integration of a United Germany with the West and association in arms of the united Germany with us, that American troops will be withdrawn, that then and then only can the problem be solved. He did not mention the Qder-Neisse line. If all of the Chancellor's sipporters are as forthcoming as the Mayor he should get his contracts ratified. 15. I had a most interesting chat with Bishop D~belius. He was just leaving for England to deliver an address. He expr~sed himself freely to me and while I have not yet read the report of his address, I am told that he pulled no punches and went after Russian control of East Germany in no uncertain terms. He so expressed himself to me. He told me that immediately after his trip to England that he was going to Moscow at the invitation of the Patriarch. He told me that he was taking with him a great list of German prisoners of war still in Russian hands. He went to see the Russian Ambassador to the East German· Government and told him that he was taking this list and wanted to discuss the repatriation of these people and asked him to alert the proper man for him to see on the subject, so that while he was in Moscow he could see such man and talk to him about this. In the light of his speech in London perhaps his entry permit will be withdrawn. If he does get there, his welcome wont be very cordial and no doubt the pressure on him and his clergy in the Russian zone will become ever greater • . . . . 6. 000729 �Document disclosed under the Access to Information Act Document divulgue en vertu de lo Loi sur /'occes a /'information ... -6- The Bishop confirmed the above expresseiiews on conditions in the eastern zone and also said that a great resistance movement was in the making there. I do not know what basis he has for his statements but he told me that in Poland the resistance movement was ever growing and that leading Communists and their supporters dare no longer go out unguarded at night. He said that with the falling of night that Poland was alive with resistance forces engaged in sabotage and every other instrument of resistance. He went on to say that he was firmly convinced that Russia could never go to war with the West as the necessary pipelines for supplies across or from the satellites would be torn to pieces. WithLall this practical realization of the situation, the Bishop ha~when I saw him, still not given up wishful hoping that a four power conference might take place, and that there might come out of it a solution of the unification problem. He talks really like Adenauer, but then branches off into the clouds which generally surround good men like him. After Moscow he goes to Denver, Colorado, to a World Church conference. 16. Let me repeat my remarks made at the outset hereof; namely that I returned to Bonn heartened by what I saw and learned. T. c. Davis, Ambassador, 000730 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CDBC00339 Title A name given to the resource "My Trip to Berlin," Bonn to SSEA, despatch no. 980 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 21-Nov-52 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived "BERLIN. Political Situation. Relations between West and East Berlin," RG25-A-3-c, Volume 8506, File number: 10937-40, File part: 2.2, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource LAC ATIP A-2024-01457 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Canadian Crown Subject The topic of the resource Berlin Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Canada Declassified Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English