Evening star., 1949-03-31
Atlantic Pact
Continued From First Page.)

munism in Southeast Asia, and
disposition of Italy's former Afri-
can colonies.
On his arrival at Union Station
yesterday afternoon, Mr.. Bevin
said Monday will be "a great his
toric day" because signing of the
North Atlantic pact will mean 1.-The
creation Of real solidarity of the
West"
Support of the treaty by Ameri-
can and European public opinion,
he added. will mean peace for
Q very long time
A major purpose back of the
treaty is to increase the chances
for peace by making clear to
Russia that the nations joining
the alliance will stand together
against any aggression-that they
cannot be picked off one by one.
Fears of some Senators that
the pact might incite Russia to
war, however, were voiced anew
last night by Senator Taft. who is
chairman of the Senate Republi-
can Policy Committee.
Soviet Attacks Feared.
In a radio address, Senator Taft
suggested that such a pact, to-
gether with the proposed rearma-
ment of it's European members,
might lead Russia to attack be
fore these ornaments are built
up"
If Russia regards the alliance
as an offensive threat. he said. the
pact might become an Indictment
to war, and make it more probable
instead of less"
Senator Taft said he has not
decided whether he will vote for
the treaty, which must be ratified
by the Senate after next Mon
days signing before it becomes
binding on this country.
He asserted that if the Senate
approves the pact it should do so
with the frank understanding that
the United States is prepared to
60 to war if Russia attacks one
Of the Western European nations.
Moral Obligation Seen.
Senator Wiley, Republican Of
Wisconsin. speaking yesterday in
support of the treaty, agreed that
1t will create moral obligation"
to resist aggression by declaring
war If there is no peaceful way
out" He said the United States
must be the "big brother" pro-
tector of other democratic nations
until the United Nations becomes
. real force"
The lineup of IL nations to sign
the treaty was completed yester-
day when Portugal and Iceland
decided to join. Secretary Ache
son and Foreign Ministers of the
other participating nations will
sign the past at conclusion of a
ceremony scheduled to begin at
, pm. Monday in the Depart
mental Auditorium. on Consti-
tuition avenue between Twelfth
and Fourteenth streets NV. Pres
ident Truman will make the ma
jor address. The ceremony will
not be open to the public.
Ceremony on Television.
A State Department. spokesman
said today the ceremony would be
broadcast and televised. He as
sumed that it would be carried by
all radio and television networks.
Seats in the auditorium will be
filled by diplomats, members of
Congress and other invited guests
and the press.
The schedule calls for the Ma
rine Band to begin playing in
the auditorium at 2:30 pm, with
Secretary Acheson and the for
eign ministers entering at 2:45
pm. Mr.. Acheson will open the
ceremony at 3 pm. with a brief
talk and introduce the foreign
ministers of the other participate
ing nations.
Each of the foreign ministers
is expected to make a five-minute
address, speaking in the alpha
betical order of their nations.
President Truman is expected
to enter the auditorium at about
4:3o pm. and wind up the speech
making part Of the ceremony
with a 10-minut4 address. Then
Mr.. Acheson and the participate
fnr foreign ministers will sign