Evening star., 1952-08-03
Truman Signs
First Ratification
0fGerman Pact
Final Action by Other
Parties to Contract
Is Awaited in Bonn
By the Associuted Press

BY the Assoeiated Press
KANSAS CITY, Aug. 2.-Presi-
dent Truman today completed
American ratification of the peace
pact with West Germany and the
companion agreement to take that
fraction of a nation into the
Vests lineup against Communist
aggression.
The new arrangement is aimed
at giving the Bonn government
practically full sovereignty. ending
military occupation of its terri
tory and making it a partner of
the West. It's actual operation,
however, awaits approval from the
other signatory nations including
West Germany itself.
Provisions Outlined.
The President signed instru-
ments ratifying:
l. The peace contract, which is
the closest approach to a peace
treaty the Western Nations felt
they could make while Germany is
divided by continuing Soviet occu-
patton of the Eastern Zone.
2. A protocol to the North At
lantic Treaty Organization pact
extending its mutual military
guarantees to Western Germany,
but not actually making the Ger
mans NATO members.
Mr.. Truman's action made the
United States the first nation to
finish the last forlnalities.
Commons Approved Pact.
Britain's House Of Commons ap-
proved both agreements yeSter-
day, following up earlier action by
the House of Lords, but there re-
manned the legal gesture of having
the contract ''laid on the table"
in both Houses.
France, however, has yet to rati-
fy and there is no assurance such
action will come without a fight.
There are still French forces which
are reluctant to see Germany
climb back toward a place of
equality.
Ratification by West Germany's
own Parliament is the subject of
a hot fight. German Communists
want no part of such deal, and
there is strong opposition to the
rearmament phases of the ar
Tangement.
In both France and Germany
a considerable part of the critic
ism centers on companion agree
ment in which the United States
has no part, to bring West Ger
many into the European Defense
Community pact.
That agreement would bind
Britain, France, Italy, Belgium,
the Netherlands. Luxembourg and
West Germany together for mu-
tual defense in event of attack.
Issued Statement.
The President issued. state
ment emphasizing the Importance
of the agreements. The text of the
statement follows:
with the advice and consent
of the Senate, have today rati-
fled the convention on relations
between the three powers of the
Federal Republic of Germany, and
the protocol to the North Atlantic
treaty. Ratification of these in
strumentS represents the latest in
a long series of efforts on the part
of this Government to establish
normal and friendly relations be-
tween the United States and Ger
many. Ratification is also a fur
ther step toward assuring the Sc
curity of Western Europe and the
whole North Atlantic area. While
the United States is the first ma
ton to ratify both of these docu-
ments. feel certain that our Eu-
ropean Allies, realizing the i'm
portance and urgency of these
measures to Western Germany and
the free world, will join in ex-
pediting approval of the pacts
by their own Parliments.
In giving its advice and con-
sent to ratification of the conven-
ton on relations with the Federal
Republic of Germany, the Senate
started its representation with re-
Spect to constitutional procedures
as referred to in the convention.
"I would like to make it clear
that this Interpretation refers
only to internal relationships be-
tween the component parts of the
government of the United States
and does not in any way affect
the rights and obligations of the
United States or the other sig.
natory States under the conven-
ton, or any of the related con-
ventionS or agreements. Further
more, the Interpretation does mo-
in any way lessen the determine.
ton of the United States to carry
out its commitments.
"The convention does not, IL
my opinion, grant to the Presi.
dent any new legislative author.
ity. nor does the Interpretation
adopted by the Senate increas,
or diminish the powers the presi.
dent has under the Constitution,