Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1948. UNITY IN THE WEST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 145, 1 April 1948, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1948. UNITY IN THE WEST

Some considerable time back Mr Churchill urged the formation of a Federation of European States, 'and an organisation was formed to promote the movement. , Nothing concrete has yet emerged, but something approaching the same idea may be seen in the Five Power Treaty recently signed in Brussels. This treaty may be regarded as the core of the Western Union, the general aim of which is to preserve, by united action in every field, the common democratic heritage of the five countries. It is a treaty well worthy of study, for it reveals the minds of these Western democratic countries, which have been driven to the present course as a result of the threatened spread of Communism from the East. The treaty provides for united action in economic, social and cultural domains. It will result in a closer co-ordin-ation of economic policies than has hitherto been the case; it provides for a combined effort to improve social conditions, y notably by raising the standard of living, ■and cultural exchanges will be intensified. When the nations first assembled to consider proposals for a union, it was 'announced that the military aspect would probably not engage their attention, but the final treaty r.evealed that this aspect was considered, for the delegates agreed to unite in collective defence against 'any attack on the European territory of any one of them. This Is a significant point, for it leaves uncovered the colonial territories of the five, and each has extensive interests overseas. Having agreed in principle on the most important matters, the conference decided to- set up a consultative council 'which will probably function continuously. It is significant, also that the treaty does not prejudice in any way the obligations of the parties under the provisions of the United Nations Charter. While these five Western Powers have agreed to unite in their own interests, they have not closed the door to other nations, for Article 9 states: “The high contracting parties may, by agreement, invite any other State to accede to the present Treaty on conditions to be agreed between them and the State so invited.”. If Russia, or any other nation, genuinely dei sires to co-operate in the promotion of peace) security and progress, then they have only to ask and they will, be ivelcomed in, providing they agree to act as the present signatories have done.