Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-06-29
for Charter
Made in Senate
By Vandenberg
Defends Veto Plan,
Calls Pact Only
Hope for World
BY J. A. O'LEARY.


Senator Vandenberg, Repub-
lican, OF Michigan told the SEN
ate today he will support the
United Nations security organi-
zation born at San Francisco
with "all the resources at my
command" because it offers the
world its only chance for peace.
Frankly conceding that the char
ter is not perfect, he told his COL
leagues the future can overtake
the errors" but there will be no
future for 1t unless we make this
start"
The Michigan Senator backed up
the position taken yesterday by his
fellow-delegate, Chairman Connally
OF the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee that the veto power held
by each of the five big powers over
the use of force offers no valid ex-
cuse for rejecting the charter.
Peace Rests on Great Powers.
Peace depends, in the final an
alysis, upon the attitudes of these
great powers and upon their mutual
relationships" he declared.
But, I assert beyond any shadow
of doubt, that this United Nations
organization can minimize the fric-
tons and stabilize the international
friendships and channel the orderly
contacts which can go infinitely far
in saving all of us from any such
disaster. If, in spite of everything
the disaster comes upon us, the
veto will simply have been the
next wars first casualty. At least
the rest of us will have the in
calculable advantage of our own
unity in moving swiftly to our own
and the worlds defense"
The galleries were filled and near
ly all Senators were in their seats
listening intently as the Republican
Senator emphasized with gestures
his faith in the value of the Charter
as offering the best hope for peace.
He raised his voice to stress the
point that any nation, big or little,
which ignores the orderly processes
laid down in the Charter for peace
full settlements will have to face the
moral pressure Of the organized
conscience of the world.
No Escape From Responsibility.
There is no veto-no self admin
istered immunity bath-which can
void this primary obligation which
every member Of the United Nations
takes when it signs the San Fran
cisco Charter" the Senator de-
clared. There will be no doubt
about the record. The elf-confessed
criminal of tomorrow will stand
condemned. The security council
itself cannot go as far against one
Of the Ave big powers as it can
against the middle and lesser pow
ers. But assert that there is no
escape for any power. however great,
from the clear responsibility which
it will unavoidably assume before
an outraged world if it takes to the
warpath before it has exhausted
these paths of peace"
The Michigan Senator, whose
speech reflected the nonpartisan
spirit in which the Senate is ap-
preaching the momentous debate,
said he could understand the critic
who objects to the veto on ethical
or moral grounds.
Critics Are Censured.
But he added, Il cannot under
stand the critic who permits his dis
appointment upon. this score to
sweep him into total opposition to
this entire enterprise and into total
abandonment of all its precious val
ues. / cannot understand it because
upon examination we must admit:
"0) That. this veto formula SUBJ
stantially reflects the worlds real
ties; CD that the so-called special
privileges of the great power is
matched by its equivalent in special
responsibilities; 80 that there is no
alternative basis upon which to
launch this great adventure, and
last, but far from least, because this
veto, which we share with others
and which We could not enjoy alone
is protection against American in
Movements which many millions of
our citizens would require as the
indispensable price of our adherence
of this treaty.
Il say this system reflects the
worlds realities because if these
great powers ever face a war with
each other, the worlds dream of
peace is shattered regardless of any
league the wit of man might de-
wise. 1t will not be shattered be-
cause Of the veto 1t will be shat
tered because of the facts. It would
be idle to- cherish any illusion upon
this score"
Further Veto Defense.
In further defense of the veto,
Senator Vandenberg said:
ut is said, by way of assault upon
this scheme Of things, that the San
Francisco Charter virtually delivers
the world to the domination of a
five-power alliance-America Rus
STA, Britain, France and China
since these nations permanently ex-
ercise major authority in the secur.