RATIFICATION OF TREATY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27435, 23 August 1954, Page 11

RATIFICATION OF TREATY

Eisenhower Appeals To France WASHINGTON, August 20. President Eisenhower told Congress today that a firm defence of Western Europe against Soviet attack would be impossible without. German troops to bolster the line. In a repdrt on the Government’s foreign aid programme during the first six months of this year, Mr Eisenhower again appealed .to France and Italy to approve the European Army project which would make it possible to add German manpower to Europe’s defences. “The'European Defence Community,” he said, “offers the best solution for the difficult problem of integrating German armed force into the European defence system. , y _ *'No measure to defend free Europe from Soviet aggression can be fully effective without German participation.” Mr Eisenhower said failure to approve the E.D.C. during the last six months constituted “the most serious single obstacle to a successful European defence.” _ _ x The President told Congress that, as part of its drive to strengthen the free world, the United States shipped 1,700,000.000 dollars in weapons and military supplies during the first half of 1954 to friendly governments around the world.