SATELLITE TREATIES

Evening Star, Issue 26042, 5 March 1947, Page 7

SATELLITE TREATIES

SENATE CONSIDERS RATIFICATION TERMS THE BEST AGHIEVABLE (Rec. 11.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 4. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee to-day begaii consideration of the peace treaties' with Italy, Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria, which, although signed, must be ratified by the Senate before becoming effective. The former Secretary of State, Mr James Byrnes, told the committee that the treaties might be regarded by some as harsh, but'they were the best achievable. He urged quick’ ratification, because normal conditions in Europe could not be restored until the occupation armies were withdrawn.

He pointed out that the British and American forces iu Italy had already been reduced below an effective level, but he added: “The same cannot be said for the occupation forces of other countries.” Such forces must leave within 90 days after the treaties went into force

Referring to the separation of Trieste from Italy, Mr Byrnes said, it was a choice of that or no agreement at all. He explained that Russia refused to leave Trieste as part of Italy, and the United States, Britain, and France were equally determined that Trieste should not go to Yugoslavia. Mr Byrnes expressed the opinion that if Trieste had been given to, Italy rioting would have broken out after the withdrawal of British and American troops, and “ Yugoslavia would then have declared it necessary to quell the rioting on the • border and to send troops into Trieste.” Mr Byrnes concluded that Yugoslavia would realise there was a difference between encroachment upon the territory of a defeated enemy and encroachment upon a territory whose integrity was guaranteed by the United Nations. COMPOSITE JUDGMENT.

The Secretary of State, Mr George Marshall, told the committee that the

treaties represented the composite judgment of the Allied Nations, and were not dictated by the United States or any other single country. “It is never easy for allies to avoid disagreement when peace comes,” he said. “ They find it difficult to realise that a common sacrifice* is as necessary to achieve peace as to achieve military victory.” Mr Marshall urged prompt Senate ratification. Senator Vandenberg told Mr Marshall, who leaves to-morrow for Moscow, that the nation’s hearts, hopes, and prayers are with you. Your mission to Moscow is fraught with destiny.” Senator Vandenberg added: “Inexorable events have forced the highest responsibilities of .leadership upon America in this restless, trembling world at this critical hour.”