Smyrna times., 1949-07-21
STATEMENT BY
SENATOR FREAR
Activities Covering Current
Congressional Matters in
Which He Is Involved
HEADS SUBCOMMITTEE


davs of debate on the historic
North Atlantic Defense Pact. BY
unanimous agreement, a vote will
he taken this coming Thursday af- !
ternoon at 5 o'clock, and should
ike to state at this time that I in
tend to vote for its ratification. In
fact. I will probably deliver an ad-
dress to the Senate setting forth
my particular reasons for favoring
the Pact before the discussion con-
eludes. In a matter SO critically
significant to the welfare of our
nation, 1 believe it my responsible
duty to comment briefly on the
merits of the Pact as I see them.
First, the Pact is entirely defen-
siye in its character. 1t is not an
instrument of aggression, as many
opponents charge. Second, it has
been set up under the provisions
and in accordance with the princi-
pies of the United Nations char
ter. Third, it provides for the CO.
operation of the signatory parties
in economic as we'll as political and
military respects. Ratification of
the Pact means that the United
States will be committed, in the
event of an armed attack against
one or more of the signers to take
such action, including the use of
armed force, alone, or in conjunc-
ton with other parties, which may
be necessary to restore and main
tain the security of the North At
lantic area. In other words, we
are pledging ourselves to stand be-
hind the North Atlantic Nations in
the event of aggression. How fam
liar are the words too little and
too late" In the recent conflict We
lost many battles because of that
condition. AS veteran of the
World Wars, 1 can well understand
the apprehension that exists not
only here in the United States, but
in other lands as well, lest another
major conflict take place. But, l
do not believe that ratification of
this pact will, as some think, take
us down the road to war. 1t is
true that as a member nation, we
will have entered intoia political
alliance which could involve the
possible use of force. 1t is also
true that this is the first occasion
in the history of our nation that
we are considering such step, in
time of peace. I have tried to fol-
low closely the Senate debate on
the Pact, and certainly regret that
the general public could not be
present to hear the various opin-
ions expressed. Unfortunately. be-
cause we are meeting in tempor-
ary quarters where there are no
galleries, this was not possible.
However, the radio and press have,
I think, diligently reported the
facts. / was present here in Wash
ington last April 4th when the
Pact was signed. At that time our
Secretary of State, Mr.. Acheson
pointed out that the treaty bears
no tint of aggression. His opinion
has been shared by the distinguish
ed Senators who make up our For
eign Relations Committee. They
unanimously voted to bring the
document to the Senate floor. Both
Senator Connally, the Chairman of
that committee, and Senator Van
denburg have urged its approval
with words that will long be re-
membered. We must face facts.
The treaty is needed because of the
persistant penetration of atheistic
communist PHILOSOPHERS among the
peoples already suffering from de-
featism and serious economic de-
fciencies. We are confronted with
the competitive power and econo-
my of slave labor in industrial and
agricultural production behind the
iron curtain as compared with oul
free economies. We cannot under
estimate the extensive assets OF
the Russian system in terms OF
population and natural resources
nor can we minimize the solidarity
and the strategic geographical po'
sition of the communist dominated
nations. The countries of the At
lantic Pact must unite for theil
common security. Frankly, We
may be required to send arms t
Europe. I hope, that will not b'
necessary to any great degree; bu
if the Pact is to be more than
simple paper, then more tangible
means must exist to reinforce tht
well-intended words with which i
was framed. 1t is my earnest ant
continuing hope that Russia ant
the United States may be brough
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