UNITED STATES PLEDGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 13, 16 January 1946, Page 5

UNITED STATES PLEDGE

CO-OPERATION PROMISED IN UN. ORGANISATION

HAD LEARNED FROM EXPERIENCE Rceil. 7 p.m. London. Jan. J 4. Opening the debate on the Preparatory Commission's report at the General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation, Mr. Byrnes pledged the United States to full, whole-hearted co-opera-tion with the United Nations. “Twentv-five years ago we in the Uniled Stales were. not. fully aware’ of our responsibility, but. we. with others, have learned from experience this time, and both the 1 niteci States Government and its people are deeply conscious of their responsibility,” he said.

Declaring that he was confident the United Nations would live, but warning the world not to cx-| pent magic overnight,. 31r. Byrnes pointed out that the United Nations Assembly owed an immeasurable debt to many not present, including Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Churchill and 31 r. Stalin, who | were responsible for its prompt ; beginning. Even during the dark-: est moments of the war the “Big Three” had made every effort to mobilise and unite the forces of freedom for survival, because they knew that military victory was not enough. The function of the United Nations would depend not merely upon the words of the Charter or rules of procedure, but upon the support received from Governments and from peoples. Nations will live, because it springs from the impelling necessities of the age in which we live. Born out of the indescribable pain and suffering of many peoples, it must live, because of the common interest which in this atomic age should unite free i aliens in maintaining a friendly, peaceful world. The United Nations Organisation doesn’t threaten any people; it comes into conflict with no real or vital interest of any of its memoers; we must dedicate ourselves to the task of exposing and eliminating blind, unreasoning fears and 'he unnecessary difficulties which they | create.” Mr. Byrnes added that no Charter which must be acceptable to all could be regarded as perfect by anyone. It was argued that the great States might abuse the rights given them under the Charter. There are risks in every human undertaking, but he was confident that the great States would respect the obligations. REPEATED CHEERS Delegates repeatedly cheered as Mr. Byrnes made his points, and a s-orm of cheering when he finished was echoed from the public galleries. The Bible was quoted for the first

time since the Assembly opened, when ✓ L. M. Desouza Dantas (Brazil) fol- - lowed Mr. Byrnes. "We are all members one of another,” he said. "Not purely temporal forces vzill be able to build a lasting peace. Let us see a society founded on great religious movements from the teachings of Chris', Mohammed, Buddha, and Confucius.” If the Economic and Social Council fully carried out its task, they could hope the Security Council might never be called to take action. Manuel Bianchi (Chile) said he was convinced that the great Powers would honour the confidence of the smaller nations. SUPPLEMENTARY ITEMS

The Assembly considered the General Committee’s recommendations on supplementary items submitted for inclusion in the Assembly’s agenda. Delegates unanimously agreed with the United Kingdoms resolution urging greater immediate help for U.N.R.R.A., and an extension of membership to all peace-loving States, and that the resolution on atomic energy emanating from the Mo.cow conference should be submitted to the Assembly’s economic and financial committee and legal committee. ' Cuba fought strenuously, but un- * successfully, to have included in the agenda a resolution containing a declaration on international rights and duties of men and a declaration

of the duties and rights of nations. Dr Ernes-o Dinigo urged the Assembly to lose no time in making these declarations, emphasising that while the Chai ter covered a deck/ation

concerning nations, it did not refer to ihe rights and duties of men. M. Spaak said the committee had not decided to decline and allow a discussion, but human rights and duties were covered in the Economic

and Social Council section of the Preparatory Commission’s report, and the rights and duties of nations in the Charter i'self, therefore both aspects would come up for general discussion. The committee felt there was no need for special provision in the agenda. TWO MEM POINTS Two viewpoints were revealed in the General Committee’s consideration of the Philippine; proposal for an international Press conference to ensure the greatest possible exchange of news and information. M. Gromyko. Mr. Fraser, and M. Paul Boncur (France) were among ‘hose who argued that the proposal was too general in wording and could not rightly be estimated, therefore it should be postponed. Others held that the committee had no right to judge the contents of anv proposal, but should decide only whether the proposed matter pertained to the Assembly. Mr. Noel Baker suggested a compromise which the committee adopted, that, pending additional explanatory details the pioposal should be put on the agenda for the Assembly’s second session. The As embly adjourned un il 3 p.m. to-morrow.