Evening star., 1952-01-23
Eisenhower Proposal
For Unifying Europe
Praised in Congress
sy N. A.sosie,sd Press

By The Asseeioisd Press
Gen. Eisenhower proposal for
q constitutional convention to
unity Europe drew applause today
from Republicans and Democrats
including other potential presi-
Dental candidates.
The statement from Supreme
Headquarters, Allied Forces in
Europe. got avid attention from
lawmakers and politicians.
It was Gen. Eisenhower's first
public statement since his dra-
matte announcement that he
would accept the Republican pres
idential nomination but would not
campaign for it.
The politically minded asked If
It would be a pattern for other
Eisenhower statements. Some
wondered if it had been cleared
with President Truman and Sec
retary Of State Acheson.
Welcomed by Acheson.
Secretary Of State Acheson told
today's news conference that he
welc ON ed Gen. EiSenhower's
statement. Mr.. Acheson pointed
out that it long had been Ameri-
can policy to aid in every way pos
sible the creation Of greater unity
in Western Europe.
He added that he hoped differ
ences that are holding up creation
Of the European community and
q six-nation European defense
force can be reconciled soon.
Doubts Russia Wants War.
Senators of both parties said
they agreed with Gen. Eisenhower
that:
/. Russia may plan global
war eventually but right now could
not win at single stroke. at
would not look to me to be a
sensible thing to provoke a global
war, and I think that also in
cludeS the Russians"
2. The mere call for a European
unity convention would mean a
lot in the United States" which
can not alone bear the entire
burden Of tn North Atlantic
Treaty.
3. Long-term defensive security
I'm Europe "can not gain strength
and stability II it (Europe) is to
remain split up in a number of
independent economies"
Splendid" Says Kefauver.
Senator Kefauver, Demencrat of
Tenn. expected to announce his
formal entry into the Democratic
presidential race later today,
said the Eisenhower proposal is
"a splendid step in the right direc-
ton"
IF they will get unified. then
It will be easier for us to work
with them" Senator Kefauver
said.
Senator Mcmahon, Democrat,
of Connecticut, who has entered
the Illinois Democratic pfesiden-
tial primary against Senator
Kefauver, agreed that European
unity isn't just desirable; it is
imperative if Europe is going to
be able to handle her own defense
in a few years"
Senator Wiley, Republican, Of
Wisconsin, ranking G. 0. ?. mem
ber of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee. said, likes move is
splendid"
1T is right along the lines Sug-
gested by the American delegation
TO the Council of Europe" Senator
Wiley said. Anything short OF
genuine unification will be in the
long run just makeshift and in
adequate"
Case Encouraged.
Senator Case, Republican,, OF
South Dakota. who has been
urging European unity for several
years, was greatly encouraged
that Gen. Eisenhower should make
the statement right now"
''I hope this issue Is kept out
of politics, - he added.
BY apparent coincidence. the
Eisenhower comments came just
as a group Of IA Senators and
Representatives, who visited Eu-
rope in recent months. suggested
that additional American aid for
Europe might be conditioned upon
more concrete progress toward
unity.
Senator Green, Democrat. of
Rhode Island and Representative
Cox, Democrat, Of Georgia filed a
report for the congressional dele
CATION, which participated in dis
cussions with representatives OF
the Consultative Assembly OF the
Council of Europe last fall at
6trasbourg, France.
Report Notes Confusion. ~
The report said:
There is general confusion
among the nations and peoples OF
Western Europe as to the respec-
tive roles Of the Council of Eu-