Evening star., 1947-07-27

e COuIplCGCO dG q CPSSAoA SoAAASA SAiSS
scheduled to begin at Rio de Janierc
lates only that sanctions may in
clude action of the character de-
scribed' in articles Al and AZ of the
u. N. Charter. Article Al authorizes
complete or partial interruption of
economic relations and of rail, sea,
air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and
other means of communication, and
the severance of diplomatic rela-
tions." Article AZ provides that If
such measures are inadequate, fur
ther action may include demon
strations, blockade, and other oper-
ations by air, sea, or land forces"
Under the United States proposal,
agreement among the American ma
tions for either joint emergency or
enforcement action should be reach
ed by a vote of not less than two
thirds. Such decisions would be
binding only on those nations con-
curing in them, if this Govern
ment's proposal is followed. Many
other countries believe two-thirds
vote should be binding upon all the
Americas. This question--the effect
of a possible split vote on nations
not concurring in it-may be the
hottest of the conference.
The two-thirds voting rule is a
departure from both the written
and unwritten rules of previous
American agreements. In the past,
the rule has been that inter-Ameri-
can decisions could be reached by
majority vote. But an unwritten
rule of unanimity has prevailed in
important matters. That is, de-
cisions on controversial issues in
Pan American affairs generally
would be avoided until they could be
made unanimously.
Enforcement Plan
A permanent joint military agency
to back up the regional security
system is contemplated. The inter-
American Defense Board, created
on a provisional basis in 1912, has
circulated proposals for a perma-
nent organization to be known as
the Inter-American Military De-
fense Council. It's members would
be the heads of the armed forces of
the 81 American Republics. 1t
would have staff functioning con-
tinuously at headquarters here.
The treaty adopted at Rio is ex-
pected to provide in general terms
for creation of the military organi-
zation. The details would be worked
out at full-dress Inter- American
Conference scheduled to open at
Bogota, Colombia, next January II.
Unlike the United Nations Char
ter, the Rio treaty will contain some
definition of aggression.
The United States proposal de-
scribes an armed attack as aggres-
sion, and adds:
Invasion of the territory Of an
American state by armed forces of
any state, trespassing boundaries
established by treaty and demar-
Gated in accordance Herewith, shall,
in any case, constitute an armed at
tack unless the use of these forces
is in accordance with the provisions
Of the Charter Of the United Ma
tions or of this treaty"
Other Definitions
This is generally accepted by the
other countries. But several OF
them 60 further. Proposals by Bo-
livia, Brazil, Mexico and Panama
specify that an attack by land,
naval or air forces against the ter
ritory, ships or aircraft OF another
nation also shall constitute aggres-
sion. Mexico and Ecuador refer to
refusal to honor obligations for pa
cific settlements Of disputes as
aggression. Bolivia would include
support to armed bands for pur-
poses of invasion as an aggressive
act.
A Uruguayan proposal which has
received little support and therefore
is not likely to be pushed at the
Rio conference would add this pro-
vision:
Violation Of the essential rights
of man or the departure from the
democratic system shall require the
joint and SOLITARY action of the
contries CT the continent"
Brazil and Panama would have
the new treaty spell out amplifica-
ton of the Monroe Doctrine from
a United States to an inter-Ameri-
can policy. The Act of Chapulte-
pee and previous agreements al
ready have been so broadened the
Monroe Doctrine in effect, but not
in so many words.
Nicaragua Question
The Brazilian proposal calls for
this provision, similar to one sub
mitted by Panama:
''The high contracting parties
shall consider as an unfriendly act
and shall adopt adequate methods
to prevent the Intervention of any
extra continental power in any
American country which does not
have a previously existant relation
of political dependence with said
power, whenever such Intervention
threatens or endangers the national
security, the territorial integrity or
the political independence of that
country, or constitutes the exercise
of any form of preponderant fore
ign influence upon the destiny
thereof"
Major question remaining to be
- ~. D;o NV,