AMERICAN POLICY ON ATLANTIC PACT

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25732, 18 February 1949, Page 7

AMERICAN POLICY ON ATLANTIC PACT

Change of Attitude Denied MR ACHESON COMMENTS ON CHARGES OF “WELSHING” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Februarv 16. There had been no change in the United States attitude towards the proposed North Atlantic Pact, said the Secretary of State (Mr Dean Acheson) at a press conference to-day. He had been asked to comment on European and other charges w “ “ •" —= Of polkies whicVhave £. S are well understood.” He added that these policies were contained in President Truman s recent inaugural address, the Vandenberg resolution, and a resolution passed last year by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In his inaugural speech, Mr Truman supported the principle of collective defence pacts, and said that the best deterrent to aggression was “the certainty that immediate and effective counter-measures will be taken against those who violate the peace. The Vandenberg resolution, which the Senate passed last year, favoured United States participation in collective defence pacts, but stipulated that American military commit-' ments must be in accordance with constitutional processes ” The House Foreign Affairs Committee’s resolution called for the strengthening of the United Nations through collective defence pacts that would be in keeping with both the United Blates Constitution and the United Nations Charter. Reuter’s Oslo correspondent says that Norwav’s Foreign Minister (Mr Lange) conferred with the Government about his talks in Washington and London on the proposed Atlantic Pact. The Government is believed to have considered Norway’s reply to the Russian Note offering a non-aggression pact. Wellinformed circles believe that the reply will refuse the Soviet offer.