Shots in the Corridor
All possible explanations of Tuesday's incident, above Konnern in the air corridor from Berlin to Frankfurt, in which a French airliner was attacked by Russian fighters, must be in some way discreditable to the Russians. That quite certainly applies to the Russian protest to the French authorities in which it is stated that warning shots were fired when the air-liner was found outside the corridor and disregarded orders to land. Even if this Russian version were true—and it conflicts with all other accounts—it could not possibly excuse the attack. Bursts of machine-gun and cannon-fire into the fuselage of an unarmed passenger plane are something more than warning shots. The attack, whatever excuse is invented, was a barbarous act. It was something of a miracle that it did not lead to the death of seventeen people. The only possible honourable reply on the part of the Russians would be an explanation, apology and reparation—without delay or equivocation. If this is not forthcoming it will certainly not be possible to let the matter rest simply as the latest example of the hollowness of the Russian Government's claims to cultural equality with the rest of the world. The last blockade of Berlin began four years ago after a similar inci- dent, which on that occasion resulted in the death of the fourteen occupants of a British plane and the pilot of the Russian fighter that collided with it. The eventual Russian accep- tance of the success of the counter-blockade, and the consequent re-opening of the land routes to Berlin, could not possibly have been given with a good grace, and it has never been certain that a second attempt to starve West Berlin would not be made. It is quite obvious that the Western Powers must watch the situation closely and be ready for quick action.
