Evening star., 1949-03-19

the instrument by which we hope
world peace will be achieved. The
Charter recognizes the Importance
of regional arrangements consistent
with the purposes and principles Of
the Charter. Such arrangements
can greatly strengthen it.
The Atlantic Pact is collective
self-defense arrangement among
the countries of the North Atlantic
area. 1t is aimed at co-ordinating
the exercise of the right of self
defense especially recognized in Ar
ticle 81 of the United Nations Char
ter. It is designed to fit precisely
into the framework of the United
Nations and to assure practical
measures for maintaining peace and
security in harmony with the char
ter.
National Identity of Interests.
It Is the firm intention Of the
parties to carry out the pact in &C
cordance with the provisions Of the
United Nations Charter and in q
manner which will advance its pur-
poses and principles.
Already one such arrangement un-
der the Charter has been established
with United States participation.
The 81 American republics in re-
organizing their regional system
have specifically brought it within
the framework of the United Ma
tions Charter. We are now joining
in the formation Of second ar
rangement, pertaining to the North
Atlantic area, likewise within the
framework of the United Nations.
It is important to keep in mind
that the really successful national
and international institutions are
those that recognize and express un-
derlying realities. The North Allan
tic community of nations is such
reality. 1t is based on the affinity
and natural identity Of interests OF
the North Atlantic powers.
The North Atlantic treaty which
will formally unite them Is the
product of at least $50 years of his
tory, perhaps more. There developed
on our Atlantic Coast q community,
which has spread across the con-
tinent, connected with Western
Europe by common institutions and
moral and ethical beliefs. Similari-
ties of this kind are not superficial.
but fundamental. They are the
strongest kind of ties, because they
are based on moral conviction, on
acceptance of the same values in
life.
The very basis of Western civiliza-
ton, which we share with the other
nations bordering the North Allan
tic, and which all of us share with
many other nations, is the ingrained
spirit Of restraint and tolerance.
This is the opposite Of the Commu-
mist belief that coercion by force is
proper method of Fastening the
inevitable. Western civilization has
lived by mutual restraint and toler-
ance. This civilization permits and
stimulates free inquiry and bold ex-
perimentation. 1t creates the en-
vironment of freedom, from which
flows the greatest amount OF inge-
nuity, enterprise and accomplish
ment.
These principles Of democracy,
individual liberty and the rule OF
law have fiourished in this Atlantic
community. They have universal
validity. They are shared by other
free nations and find expression
on a universal basis in the Charter
of the United Nations; they are the
standards by which its members
have solemnly agreed to be judged.
They are the elements out of which
are forged the peace and welfare
of mankind.
Two Halves Of One Community.
Added to this profoundly impor-
tant basis of understanding is an
other unifying influence-the effect
of living on the sea. The sea does
not separate people as much as 1t
joins them, through trade, travel,
mutual understanding and common
interests.
For this second reason, as well
as the first, North America and
Western Europe have formed the
two halves of what is in reality one
community. and have maintained
an abiding interest in each other.
It is clear that the North Atlantic
Pact is not an improvisation. It is
the statement of the facts and les
sons of history. We have learned
our history lesson from two world
wars in less than half a century.
That experience has taught us that
the control of Europe by a single
aggressive, unfriendly power would
constitute an intolerable threat to
the national security Of the United
States.
We participated in those two
great wars to preserve the integrity
and independence Of the European
half of the Atlantic community in
order to preserve the integrity and
independence of the American half.
1t is a simple fact, proved by ex-
perience, that an outside attack on
one member of this community Is
an attack upon all members.
We have also learned that, If the
free nations do not stand together,
they will fall one by one. The
strategem Of the aggressor is to
keep his intended victims divided,
or better still, set them to quarreling
among themselves. Then they can
be picked of one by one without
arousing unified resistance. We and
the free nations of Europe are de-
termined that history shall not re-
peat itself in that melancholy par
ticular.
As President Truman has said: If
"lie Mr.. Achesnn said It seemed