Evening star., 1945-12-16
United Nations
Selects j. ). as
PermanentSi Site
Hot ButfIe Precedes
Vote; City Will Be
Discussed Tomorrow
b. the Associated Fress.

discussed omoff0W
b. the Associated Fress.
LONDON, Dec. 15.-The United
States was chosen today as the
permanent home of the United
Nations Organization after a
long. hard-fought battle, and
the Preparatory Commission
decided to meet Monday to con-
tinue discussions as to the Spe-
ciflc city in which the world
peace agency will be located.
The selection becomes final with
the stamp of approval of the Gen.
eral Assembly, and Belgian anc
French delegates, who with British
delegates led the fight for a Eu-
ropean site, said the choice would
not be challenged again.
The United States won out on a
roll call vote of 80 to IA, with six
nations, including the United States
abstaining A thirds majority
was needed. Previously the dele
gates voted down a motion favoring
a European site by a tally of Is to
%.
Canada. which cast it's ballot for
Europe, moved successfully to make
the vote for the United States
unanimous The motion was sec.
onded by British Minister of State
Philip j. Noel Baker, who had
fought throughout for a European
site.
Baker said, His Majesty's gov
ernment will do everything in Their
power to make the organizat ton I
great success" 4
Roll Call Vote.
Addressing the delegates, Ad hi
Stevenson, American representative
asked them not to harbor ely feel
ing over the vote. He told them
"The United States is in for keeps
this time"
Voting for the United States on
the roll call were Argentina. Aus
tralia, Bolivia, Brazil SByelo-Russia
Chile, China, Cuba. Czechoslovakia
the Dominican Republic, Egypt, E.
Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Hon.
duras, India, Iran. Mexico, Nicara-
qua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru
Philippines. Poland, the Soviet
Union, Turkey. the Ukrainian Re-
public, Uruguay, Venezuela and
Yugoslavia.
Voting against the United States
were Belgium, Canada, Denmark,
France, Greece, Iraq, Lebanon, Lii
IBERIA, Luxembourg, the Neither
lands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Union
of South Africa and the United
Kingdom.
Abstaining were Colombia, ECU
ador, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Syria
and the United States.
215 Hour Battle.
The vote was preceded by a
knock down and drag-out battle
during which the delegates for two
and half hours debated procedure
The delegates fought so hard that
Ukrainian Delegate D. z. Manuilsky
rose to say this is making a pain
full impression" and Netherlands
Delegate A. A. Pelt told his COL
leagues they lacked dignity.
The only surprise in the voting
was when Egypt, which had been
expected to vote for Europe, said
no.
Emerging from the tense session
delegates said they had not expected
decision so quickly. An American
delegate said he expected the roll
Of score or more cities seeking to
become the United Nations home
would be narrowed down consider
ably by the committee over the
week end.
Secret Ballot Opposed.
Stevenson. speaking for Edward
r. Stettinius, American representa-
tive to the United Nations Organi-
cation, told the delegates:
Much has been said about the
effect on American public opinion
of having the organization outside
the United States. But we must
keep alive the vital interest of peo-
plies everywhere"
Britain and France sought Sc
cret ballot, but Stevenson voted
against it. He said it was not to
protect American interests that he
voted against the motion, but be-
cause he was against secrecy in
principle.
Secrecy is bad policy for the
United Nations" Stevenson said.
"Our decisions should be reached
frankly and freely"
The secrecy motion. which needed
only a simple majority. failed by a
- vote of 26 to "a.