UNITED STATES “NOTES” DEVELOPING SENTIMENT FOR PACIFIC ALLIANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27082, 17 May 1949, Page 5

UNITED STATES “NOTES” DEVELOPING SENTIMENT FOR PACIFIC ALLIANCE

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright

WASHINGTON, May 16. The United States, whose participation is essential if it is to have much meaning, has done not more than “ note ” developing sentiment in favour of a Pacific defence pact, it was explained in semi-official quarters in Washington to-day.

Rec. 9 p.m

This means that although the United States has in a routine way kept itself informed on developments in pronouncements in Australia and elsewhere of the desirability for a Pacific alliance against aggression it has been careful to demonstrate no official interest which might encourage the belief that it is prepared at this stage to associate itself with any defence arrangement for that part of the world.

“One thing at a time” is the precept behind United States official thinking just now. The United States already has heavy commitments over broad areas of the world and it is felt that the danger of over-reaching eveh its admittedly great strength requires that it should enter into new commitments with the utmost caution. It is emphasised, too, that although United States formal partnership in the Atlantic alliance through ratification of the treaty may confidently be expected yvithin the next two or three months the concomitant arms assistance proposed is still far from consummation. In addition, there are many who believe the United States will heed suggestions for a Mediterranean defence arrangement before turning its attention to the Pacific. This would be the logical extension of the so-called anti-Communist Truman doctrine for military and economic aid to Greece and Turkey, and one which could be effectively integrated with the Atlantic Pact, thus extending in an important direction the wall against Russian aggression. Therefore, the strongest impression in Washington is that, while anxious to do nothing to discourage preliminary planning among friends in the Southwest Pacific, the United States will do nothing to foster the hope that in the foreseeable future it can become an official partner. * From Canberra it is reported that the Prime Minister, Mr Chifley, stated that defence planning for the Pacific was proceeding parallel with defence planning for the North Atlantic. Ho added that Australia had the closest links with Britain as the principal partner in British Commonwealth defence. It is believed that representatives of the Governments of Australia New Zealand, India. Pakistan, Ceylon and Malaya will meet for defence talks before the end of the year. Mr Chifley said that in co-operation with the British and New Zealand Governments, Australia had made appropriate arrangements whereby Britain and New Zealand were repre sented in . the Australian Government machinery, and Australia was correspondingly represented in Britain and New Zealand.