Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-02

Today we celebrate the tenth
anniversary of the North At
lantic Treaty Organization
Founded as an alliance to as
sure our defense against the
threat of aggression, NATO has
grown into a powerful security
community by means of which
the free people Of Is nations
pursue the goal of a durable
peace with justice.
For generations each nation
including my own pursued this
aim through its own individual
efforts. But the galloping pace
Of technology and the upheav-
ais of modern war brought the
world suddenly to a new stage
in its existence. BY 1945 Amer
leans together with all other
peoples recognized the urgent
need for a new relationship
among nations.
That year the establishment
Of the United Nations Organi-
cation lifted hopes the world
over that all peoples would at
last join together in a universal
quest for peace and justice,
Momentarily it seemed that
mankind had begun to put
aside the weapons of war in
favor Of the tools of peace. But
quickly it became evident that
the aftermath of World War Il
had brought, along with this
opportunity, new dangers Of
fearful and unusual Signifl-
canoe.
War for all nations has al
ways meant privation. suffering
and death. But with the advent
of nuclear science the POSSIBLE
ity of war suddenly threatened
entire civilizations. Almost 81
multaneously a new dictator
ship reached such great power
that it openly challenged the
concepts Of Justice and freedom
which our respective nations
adhere to and support. So
challenged. no free nation
from the weakest to the most
powerful - could cope, alone.
with these dangers.
The stake was not merely the
security of our country's homes
from military onslaught: the
true issue was our ability to
protect the spiritual founda-
tons Of Western civilization
against every kind of ruthless
successive attack, whether the
attack should be military, eco
nomic or political.
Precedent Lacking
Out Of this realization was
born the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization. It's immediate
purpose was the prevention of
war by lettering military ag-
erosion in Europe. The task
presented many difficulties. one
of which was that there was no
guiding precedent. But out of
necessity and through the good
viii of member nations, we sue
ceeded within a few short years
in building a substantial de-
fensive establishment.
Since NATO was formed there
has been no further Communist
advance in Europe either by
political or military means.
And while our military efforts
have obviously required eco
nomic sacrifice. they have by
no means stunted the economic
growth Of member countries.
Instead, there has been a nota-
bic increase in production. trade
and living standards among the
NATO peoples during the 10
years of NATO's existence. Eco
nomic and military strength
have developed hand-in-hand.
NATO is unique in many re-
spects. OF these, the most i'm
portant by far is our common
support of spiritual and moral
values. Each nation has. of
course. its heritage Of religion.
language. literature. music. edu-
cation and the other elements
Of culture which give real
meaning to life. But among
all. there is a close kinship be-
cause Of q common belief in
freedom and the dignity of
man. All are devoted 10 the
twin ideals Of peace and JUS