Evening star., 1948-03-07
Progress Is Made
OnEuropeonUnion
OF Democrucies
By the Associated Press


BRUSSELS, Belgium, Mar. g.
The political and legal basis OF
a western European economic
and military union was laid
down tonight.
All sources said there was general
agreement on the basic principles
Iof a 50-year pact binding Britain
France, Belgium, the Netherlands
and Luxembourg, but considerable
work remained before the basic
agreements can be phrased. The
conference, which opened last
Thursday, is expected to continue
until next Wednesday or Thursday
British delegates said the struc-
ture agreed on here will be union
committed to western ideas of de-
mocracy to which no totalitarian
could subscribe.
Sir George Rendel. British Am
bassador to Belgium, said it will
definitely commit the union to
mutual armed defense, but will
make no attempt to detail defense
provisions.
Must Back Western Ideas.
The political basis of the pact
was reached at tonight's session
Gladwyn Jebb of the British For
eign Office said one of the main
points of political discussion was
the attitude toward states outside
the pact. He indicated all parties
agreed the pact must unequivocally
favor western ideas of liberty.
An unofficial Belgian source also
reported the pact included state
ment committing its Signers to free
dom of the press.
Outlining the problem presented
by the attitude toward other coun-
tries, Mr.. Jebb said: We wouldn'
exactly be eager to have Gen. Franco
Join it tomorrow morning"
Because of the desire to finish the
pact before the 16-nation Marshall
Plan conference in Paris on March
IS. it was believed some details may
be passed over for later settlement
particularly implementation Of the
military agreement.
Economic Provisions Next.
The future of the pact and its
wider implications will work itseli
out" Sir George explained. 1T viii
depend on how keen the support fol
it is"
Expressing general optimism. Mr.
Jebb said: This is quite a change
from other conferences I have at
tended. There the question was how
to work out formulas that woulo
bridge basic differences. Here we
are looking for the best way to ex-
press basic agreements"
The last session of the week to.
night was devoted to political ane
iuridical questions" Pierre Elvinger
the Luxembourg delegate, said. He
left when the session was half over
saying "only legal details are left
Sir George said the conference
would really get going on Monday
when detailed economic provisions
are taken up. The general points
were discussed tonight, Count Jear
de Hautecloque of the French For
eign Office said.
The session began work on COM
mon draft and tomorrow will be
spent in consulting the various cap
itals and in private meetings te
work out particulars.
ReneIurbTntereSt Shown,
Belgium, the Netherlands ano
Luxembourg-the Benelux countries
were particularly interested in the
economic provisions coming up. The
three countries have emerged from
the war as creditors of both Britain
and France and as exporting coun'
tries with favorable balances o.
trade to protect.
The Belgians in particular have
indicated they do not believe mutua
prosperity would be served If th'
revival of French and British IN
dustry is at the expense of Benelu'
production.
Asked how the western European
unions economic cooperation woul'
fit into the Marshall Plan for Eu
ropean recovery. a Belgian delegat
said. I'VE are looking forward t.
something a good deal more perm
anent."