Evening star., 1949-02-20
Atlantic Powers
Aim for PROMPT
Security Pact
ENJOYS Meet Aeheson
And Plan Series of
Talks on Alliance
By the Associofed Press

BY the Assoeiafed Press
Prompt drafting of an Atlantic
security treaty-assuring Western
Europe of real American military
support-was made the goal of
negotiators yesterday.
In an atmosphere of optimism,
they met with Secretary of State
Acheson and scheduled a series
of conferences designed to pro-
duce the finished document.
A changed outlook among sup
porters appeared to stem from
Fridays lengthy closed door ses-
sion between Mr.. Acheson and the
Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee.
It was understood that Mr..
Acheson made clear to the ambas-
sadors that in his opinion excellent
progress had been made in the
committee session toward general
acceptance of a treaty draft which
should give the Europeans a far
greater sense of security and con-
fidence of American backing.
Progress Seen Made.
There were indications at the
Capitol that at least some OF the
leading members of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee such
as Senators Vandenberg, Republi-
can of Michigan. also felt that
satisfactory progress was being
made on the treaty terms.
It seemed increasingly likely,
although so far it is by no means
certain, that the draft finally
agreed on will make some refer
ence to the possibility of Amer
ican military action" against any
nation which might attack any
member of the security system.
That is the kind of reinsurance
which the Europeans would like,
barring any automatic American
commitment to go to war which
officials say would be unconstltu-
tional.
NEGOTIATIONS are under way
among the United States. Canada,
Britain, France. Belgium, Holland
and Luxembourg.
AS the group of ambassadors,
left Mr.. Acheson's Office, Sir Oliver
Franks, the British envoy, told re-
porters: I'VE had an informal
meeting with the Secretary and
reviewed the position and laid
down a program Of meetings OF a
more formal character, of which
the first will take place in the mid
die of next week" Ambassador
Franks would not elaborate on
this statement.
Likely Course Of Treaty.
Other informants suggested that
the way the treaty draft will be
worked out, beginning with Fri
days session. probably will be in
the following manner:
Mr.. Acheson got from the Sen
ate Foreign Relations leaders a
fairly clear idea Of the kind OF
treaty which the Senate may be
reasonably expected to approve by
the two thirds vote required.
In his talk with the Ambassa-
doris Yesterday. he Informally COM
municated his ideas of what may
be accomplished and they debated
how best to go about it. This
week he will meet in a formal
drafting session with the ENJOYS
and their staffs of advisers.
Subsequently he will hold an
other meeting with the Senate
Committee and then a second
meeting with the ambassadors. Of
f1cials hope that about that time
the treaty draft will be completed
and have so much acceptance
among the foreign representatives,
the Senate and the State Depart
ment that it can be made public.
Optimism Increases.
At the moment, there is a much
greater feeling of optimism about
the treaty among its proponents
and supporters. They feel that as
a result of Fridays AchesQn-Sen-
ate meeting, prospects for strong
and effective European-American
security system have been greatly
frightened.
Moreover, officials emphasized
that while any automatic commit
ment of this country to join some
future war is out of the question,
there is no reason why legally at
least military action" should not
be stated as one of the means of
meeting an aggression. Senator
Vandenberg and various others are
understood to find this personally
agreeable.
Furtherfore, it is being empha-
sized here that the question of
military support from the United
States to the non-Communist
countries of Europe is far greater
than simply the question of what
to do if an attack comes.
Several Billions Involved.
The administration plans to re-
inforce the pact with a military
aid program which over the next
few years would run into several
billions of dollars worth of sup
plies and arms.
The pact itself is understood to
provide for the closest staff CO.
ordination and planning among
the member countries, an arrange
ment which is a practical means
of defense that would take place
long before any attack was even
indicated as a danger.
The feeling of optimism here
about the pact was helped by Oslo
dispatches which reported that the
way for Norway to accept an in
vitation to join the Atlantic Alli-
ance talks had been virtually