The Auckland Star. SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1943. The Evening News, Morning News. The Echo and The Sun. THE "COUNCIL OF EUROPE" WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 91, 17 April 1943, Page 4

The Auckland Star. SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1943. The Evening News, Morning News. The Echo and The Sun. THE "COUNCIL OF EUROPE" WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED

THE ardent wish of many people to discuss the future was recognised by Mr. Churchill in his speech on March 21 when, after advising the British people "not to take their eye off the ball, even for a moment," he set out his ideas of what might happen after the defeat of Germany and Italy. He suggested that, under a world institution embodying or representing the United Nations—and some day all nations—there should come into being a Council of Europe and a Council of Asia. The creation of the first would be the first practical task, and Britain hoped that the United Nations, headed by the British Commonwealth, the United States and Soviet Russia, would undertake it. Unlike some other parts of Mr. Churchill's speech—notably his proposal of a four years' plan of reconstruction in the United Kingdom, and his statement (at first misunderstood) that after victory in Europe large numbers of British and United States soldiers would be repatriated and demobilised—this suggestion of a Council of Europe seems to have been little discussed abroad. Mr. Churchill made it clear—and Lord Cranborne in the House of Lords this week made it clearer—that what the British Government has in mind is a really effective League of Nations "with a High Court to adjust disputes, and with armed forces, national or international, or both, all ready to enforce these decisions and to prevent renewed aggression and the preparation of future wars. Such a project would require the close collaboration with Britain of the United States and Soviet Russia, but it is noticeable that Mr. Churchill's proposal has not been followed by any authoritative pronouncement on behalf of either of these Powers. What are their views upon it? What prospect is there of their subscribing to such a plan? As to the United States, the prospect is completely uncertain. Although what may be called the ruling group probably would favour ImeS participation in a reorganised and strengthened League that group may not be«ruling after 1944; or it may be able to give effect to ite wishes Tin everything save the vital ratification of treaties. Thirty--3£ menTomoTlsrfn tie United States Senate may block any treaty made bv the United States Government, even though that treaty has been frfely and openly negotiated, even though the other nations have sfgned it in the full expectation that the United States will Perform it. S fact, and the memory that the Versailles Treaty including the estabhshment of the- League of Nations, was rejected because only a Itople majority of the Senate, and not a two-thirds majority, voted for a large question mark to all projects of international organisation after the war. A question mark equally large appears concerning the attitude of Russia Engaged in a desperate struggle for survival, the Russians fave had little time to give to consideration of pos -war Is not to say that they have given no time, to it. Their leaders exhOTtetionfhave been chiefly in the vein of "Clear the Nazi vermin fSn the soil of the Fatherland." There is little to indicate at present thaf they will be prepared to go all the way with Britain and the United States (or, conceivably, with Britain alone) in setting up interSonal organisations on the League pattern or any other pattern. They may be prepared later to do so, after they have. become fully convmcedL that they are not fighting the war alone. But in considering the speeches of Mr. Churchill and Lord Cranborne on post-war organisation it Inessential to realise that they express only what the British rnvernment'hopes can be done. What will be done depends on the SSTof the other major Powers, which are not solidly committed to Sythtog? and havf not yet conclusively indicated their intentions.