Evening star., 1949-04-05

hopefully TO sign this solemn treaty.
Carlo Sforza, italy:
The Italian nation, after two
World Wars, In the space uf one
generation, looks with confidence
and hope to this treaty: it sees In
1t a decisive step toward the ad-
vent of peace in a free and united
world.
Signing a pact, however, is not
enough. Life shall nave to circu-
late through 1t. as a result Ct con-
slant free collaboration in the serv-
Ice of peace between all Its members,
present and future.
Joseph Bech, Luxembourg:
In the absence of any coercive
force belonging to the United Ma
tions, the treaty of assistance and
mutual aid among the II Western
countries constitutes the most ef-
fective guarantee possible for them.
a guarantee that Is essential in a
world where distrust prevails, a
world divided by political and ide-
illogical conceptions that are radi-
cally opposed, with all the risks
and dangers that this state OF
things and of mind involves.
The nations of the West never
wanted this division. 1t is not
their concern that other nations
have a regime different from theirs,
and they ask only normal relations
with the East. If, year ago, five
of them placed themselves on the
defensive In concluding the Brus-
sells Pact, and if, today, the United
States and Canada are In their
turn joining the 10 European coun-
tries to organize collective defense
and the maintenance of peace, Sc
curity and liberty in the North
Atlantic community. it Is because
their unceasing efforts to find COM
mon solutions with the countries
of the East in important matters
have encountered constant intran-
sigence and because, In a word, the
policy of conciliation followed by
the Western countries has found no
echo in the East.
Dirk u. Striker, the Netherlands:
The treaty we are about to sign
marks the end of an illusion: The
hope that the United Nations would,
by itself, ensure international peace.
Regretfully,. we were driven to
the conclusion that the Charter,
though essential, is not enough. in
the world as 1t is, to protect those
vital principles for which we of
the Western World who have gath
cred here. stand.
Therefore, we felt it our duty to-
make this treaty. So far from
merely marking the end of an IL
lusion, 1t most especially marks the
birth of q new hope of enduring
peace.
It's opponents are clamoring that
this treaty aims at war. That is
a lie. Its aim Is peace-peace, not
after new war, but peace now.
and from now on.
HaIvard Lange, Norway:
Our pact is a pact of peace. 1t Isl
directed against no nation. 1t Is
directed solely against aggression it
self.
The moment the United Nations
through the common efforts of all
Its member nations Is capable of
In accordance with the
intention of its founders and with
the better and spirit of the Charter
at that moment the need for such
regional arrangements will become
much less urgent, and will ulti-
mately be eliminated altogether.
The overwhelming majority of the
people deeply believe
that the signing of the Atlantic pact
Is an event which may decisively
influence the course of history and
hasten the day when all nations can
work together for peace and free
dom.
Jose Caeire d8 Malta. Portugal:
My country. In accepting the in
vitation extended to her to take her
place among the original partici-
pating nations in the Atlantic pact.
was not-Ts can affirm-concerned
exclusively with considerations of
her own security; she did so much
more because of her recognition of
the need of giving her cooperation
to this great effort.
Portugal wishes to assert that she
sees in the North Atlantic pact, not
only an instrument OF defense and
international cooperation, but also.
for the reasons and for the aims
which govern 1t, q precious instru-
ment for peace. And she considers
herself fortunate to be able TO find
that. once again, none of the in
strliments on which her foreign re-
lations are based is In conflict with
Its letter or Its spirit.
Ernest Bevin. United kingdom:
We are In the process Of enthron-
ing and making paramount the
use OF reason as against force. The
day may come when all the world
win accept that view.
Today win bring great feeling
Of relief to millions of people. Al |
last democracy Is no longer d series |
Of isolated units. It has become
. cohesive organism. determined 10
fulfill It's great purpose. But 1t is
not the final end.
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