Military Aid If Any Party Is Attacked

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1948, Page 5

Military Aid If Any Party Is Attacked

LONDON, Wed. (11.30 a.m.). —Britain, France, Belgium, .the Netherlands and Luxembourg signed a 50-year treaty of economic cooperation and military aid. Other States may accede to it on agreed conditions. The treaty provides that if an armed attack in Europe should be made on any party to the treaty, the Others will, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, afford all military aid. A permanent consultative council will be established to be called for immediate consultation at the request of any party to the treaty.

■ The preamble declared that the five nations are resolved to reaffirm their faith in the fundamental human rights, to fortify and preserve the principles of democracy, personal freedom, political liberty, the rule of law and the constitutional traditions which are their common heritage. To strengthen their economic, cultural and social ties. To cooperate loyally and coordinate efforts for the creation in western Europe of a firm basis for European economic recovery. To take such steps as necessary in the event of renewal by Germany of a policy of aggression. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES Article 1 says the high contracting parties will organise and coordinate their economic activities and will aid the work of other economic organisations to which they belong. Article 2 calls for a common effort to attain a higher standard of living and consultation on social matters. Article 3 calls for cultural exchanges between the parties. Articles 4,5, 6, 7 and 8 deal with collective self-defence within the framework of the United Nations Charter.

countries signed the treaty in Brussels this evening in the “Solemn Session Hall”'of the Palace of Academies. The actual signing ceremony took only a few minutes.

The five Foreign Ministers sat on armchairs arranged in a slight arc facing 200 seated reporters. Brussles radio quoted M. Bidault (France) as saying at the signing: “The world has been waiting a very long time for a joint effort. “We shall now go forward together.”

M. Spaak (Belgium) said others one day might “rally to us to reinforce our task.”

In the House qf Commons, Mr Attlee, announcing the signing of the pact, emphasised that the treaty was “directed against nobody.” He said the treaty was not based on self-interest and fear. It was an association of like-minded neighbours seeking closer, even spiritual, integration based on the essential similarity of their civilisations. Mr Churchill said he withheld his final opinion until there was an opportunity of assuring himself that the Dominions’ position was in full harmony with what had been arranged. BENEFIT OF WORLD Mr Bevin, speaking at the- signing of the treaty, said the treaty - was unique. It was designed to benefit not only Europe, but also ultimately it would become an instrument of world organisation for peace. M. Bidault said there was hardly a town or village or road from Paris to Brussels whose name was not also the name of a battle. “This tragedy has long enough,” he said. “We are here to put a end to it by all means in our power. “We are laying the cornerstone for a European structure in the fields of economics and security. “We are together from now on—l hope for always.” The Dutch Foreign Minister (Baron van Boetzelaer) said the treaty put an end to the possibility of remaining neutral if one of the signatories was attacked.

Article 4 says: “If any party should be subject to armed attack in Europe, the other parties will, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, afford the party so attacked all military aid within their power.” Article says all measures taken as a result of Article 4 shall immediately be reported to the Security Council and shall be terminated as soon as the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. Article 6 declares that none of the contracting parties will conclude an alliance or participate in any coalition directed against any signatories to the treaty. CONSULTATIONS Article 7 provides for the creation of a consultative council to exercise continuous functions. The council could be convened at the request of any signatory nation in the event of Germany renewing an aggressive policy, in any situation constituting a threat to peace, “in whatever area this threat should arise,” or in any situation constituting a danger to economic stability. Article 8 provides for reference of disputes between the parties themselves to the International Court of Justice.

The French Ministry denied the statement by the newspaper Intransigeant that a super high-command would be created with Field-Marshal Montgomery as inspector-general. •

Article 9 says the high contracting parties may, by agreement, invite any other state to accede to the present treaty on agreed conditions. Other states may becojne parties by depositing an instrument of accession with the Belgian Government. Article 10 says the treaty shall enter into force on the date of deposit of the last instrument of ratification with the Belgian Government.

After a period of 50 years, each of the parties shall have the right to cease to be a party by giving a year’s notice.

The Foreign Ministers of the five