MUST NOT FAIL

Evening Star, Issue 25462, 18 April 1945, Page 6

MUST NOT FAIL

THE SAN FRANCISCO CONFEREE

GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE LASTING PEACE

atec. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, 'Aprifl7. ilr C. 15. Attlee opened the debate in the House of Commons on -the San Francisco conference. He said they would try to make a universal, flexible, and enduring world organisation. They were faced 'with a great opportunity in which they must not fail. Unless they could build up an organisation for this maintenance of peace there was little hope for. immediate or future humanity.

Unless they combined with other nations the alternative was the continued menace of war, in all probability a devastating war which would destroy much of civilisation. They must be on guard lest in seeking the ideal they lost what was possible. They were seeking to create an organisation to prevent war. That was the main objective.

. The peace they sought must ■• be based on acceptance of the principles of justice and the rights of nations.and the rights of individuals to live their own lives freely. They sought to build a world society to preserve' peace, also a'world;,worthy of the sacrifice of those who had fallen in the wor'.d Rocietv inspired by the possibility of the Fchir Freedoms laid down by -Mr Roosevelt. THE GROUND PLAN.

, Mr Attlee said lie was not asking the House to approve every detail of the Dumbarton Oaks proposals, but to regard .them as the ground plan, on which to work. The proposals were based on the principle that power and responsibility must be commensurate. To,some extent it was not given sufficient expression by the League of Nations. Responsibility for maintaining peace.and security was fairly and securely laid on a council. Only that way could the* prevent a further groat conflict. They must avoid on the one hand arbitrary action, by _ the Great Powers based on no principle aV all, and on the other hand over-elabora-tion of procedure which prevented action being taken at all or in time. It might be said that these were 4

all words and proinisas which might not be carried out, but they must rely on the strength or the promises the Powers made to one another. The great thing was that they should come together

with other States at their tbliberations. It was no use talking about collective security unless the nations had a common purpose and

were prepared to work together. Mr Attlec argued that the Dumbarton Oaks proposals were in advance of what the nations had had in the past. They were relying on the Great Powers agreeing to settle even the greatest dispute within the framework of the international organisation. If they would not do that no formula would save the world. He did not say the proposals were the last word, but he believed that when the States got together they would build up confidence. If they could get a sense of security in the world justice and social and economic welfare would follow. PRESERVING THE PEACE.

Mr Attlee said the chance of preserving peace would be immeasurably enhanced if they could get full employment, a steadily rising standard of living, and full security in the world. They could not get tnat without international co-operation. ■■ They had seen how narrow nationalism poisoned the international atmosphere. It was necessary' to have a small operating body that could meet frequently and implement the decisions of the asand that was the reason for a social and economic council which might well prove one of the most important parts of the whole organisation.

'Referring to the part to be played by the dominions. Mr Attlee said he was glad Field-Marshal Smuts would bo at the San Francisco conference, as his expert advice, experience, and wisdom would be of great use. In conclusion, he said it had appeared at one time as if Britain would go down, but they had not gone down, and the qualities which enabled them to defeat tyranny should enable them to win the peace and extend prosperity to the ipeoples of the world provided they had the right organisation to carry out the necessary work.