Evening star., 1955-03-29
SceIba Calls Unity
West Europe's Only
Hope for Survival
BY ]. V, HORNER

BY ]. V. HORNER
Prime Minister Mario Scelba
Of Italy today hailed Western
European Union as the starting
point for solidifying the eco
nomic and social structure of
Europe and co-ordinating poll
tical actions of the free countries.
In an optimistic address to the
National Press Club, Mr.. Scelba
declared the free nations must
move promptly-though without
undue haste-to strengthen the
ties that bind them.
II would not like to drama
tie" he said, "but there is no
other alternative for Europe;
either integration or disintegra-
ton" =
Draws Big Audience
The speech to an overflow au-
dience was the principal public
announcement by the 54-year-
old Prime Minister during his
three-day State visit to WASH
ington.
Again expressing appreciation
to . the United States for "gen-
erous and spontaneous" aid in
the reconstruction Of Italy, Mr..
Scelba reviewed the remarkable
progress achieved by his country
since its defeat in World War II.
Without American aid, he de-
clared, neither Italy nor the rest
Of Europe could have avoided a
major and prolonged calamity.
''If we had not received Amer
lean aid," he said, I'VE could
not be in a position to announce,
as we can do today, that post
war reconstruction is an accom-
plished fact and that the italian
economy has already developed
well over and above the pre-
war level"
NATO Cited
He mentioned the Importance
of the Marshall Plan and the
effective international co-opera-
ton for the security of peace
and democracy resulting from
the North Atlantic Pact. He
said the treaty, which Is the cor
nerstone of Italian foreign policy,
led to the establishment of a
sound mutual defense system.
But Mr.. Scelba said military
defense, alone, is not enough.
Against the compact align
ment of the Iron Curtain coun-
tries, with its network of mill
tary and political treaties" he
warned, I'VE must follow an in
ternational policy of unity and
solidarity"
The Prime Minister went on
to say that economic and social
solidarity implies recognition of
the fact that no national econ
omy can survive alone.
I'VE consider the Western
European Union not as a ter
minal but as a starting point
towards new forms of union and
integration in Europe"
He said the conviction that
Europe faces either integration
or disintegration was the reason
Italy became the first nation on
the continent to ratify the Paris
agreements.
Reviews Progress
In his review of postwar prog
ress in Italy, Prime Minister
Scelba cited the successful hous-
ing program, solution of the
Trieste problem, land and tax
reforms. He said, however, Italy
sorely needs large investment of
foreign capital.
He said the anti-democratic
forces in North Italy are steadily
losing ground but that the situa-
ton in the south still requires
careful watching.
M. Scelba. who is accom-
panied on his visit by Foreign
Minister Gaetano Martino and
other high-ranking Italian OFF,
cials, arranged conferences to-
day with Secretary of Defense
Wilson, Secretary of the Treas
ury Humphrey and Foreign OPP
erations Administrator Stassen.
On his final day here tomor-
row the Prime Minister will see
Secretary Dulles again, have
lunch at the Capitol with Vice
President Nixon and go to the
floor OF both the Senate and
House for formal introductions to
members of Congress.