Atlantic Pact Said To Have Lost Efficacy

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1949, Page 5

Atlantic Pact Said To Have Lost Efficacy

PARIS, September 25 (Rec. 11 a.m.).— The Atlantic Pact would have been good if America had been able to preserve a monopoly of the atom bomb, but, if the weapon was to be in the hands of both camps, the pact as now drawn up would lose a great deal of its efficacy for Europe, said General de Gaulle, speaking at an open-air meeting at Bordeaux today.

“The French people are feeling increasingly apprehensive,” he said. “French economy is only bolstered up because of temporary imports under the Marshall Plan. Our Budget is only balanced by inflation. France has had to admit fresh devaluation, imposed from outside in disquieting and irritating conditions. “The nation must be warned that nothing obliges the United States to take part in the immediate defence of our Continent. As long as Europe does not constitute a powerful bridge-

head, do not let us expect armadas will arrive to disembark their armies. “England would fight if the West were attacked, but because of air power she has strategically ceased to be entirely an island. She thinks first of her own defence and would not risk the main part of her forces on the Continent. It is up to the French people to ensure French security. The immediate security of Europe and North Africa is in the first instance, the responsibility of France.” General de Gaulle emphasised that the Germans must be included among the peoples of Europe. Europe could only be recreated if direct agreement was reached between the Germans and the Gauls.