General Smuts Sees Organisation Of West As Vital To Security

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 May 1948, Page 5

General Smuts Sees Organisation Of West As Vital To Security

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter—Copyright. 1 Capetown, May 23 General Smuts, broadcasting to the Empire on the eve of Empire Day, said that in a world divided by a curtain of fear, organisation of the west had become a paramount issue for both the western nations and the 'British Commonwealth.

Association between the British Commonwealth and the United States was essential. Such an association would provide a concentration of resources and a command of world communications which wolud give pause to a potential aggressor. It would involve no change in the Commonwealth’s structure. Canada had long found the loyal membership of the Commonwealth compatible with close co-operation with the United States, and had thus set a precedent for the whole Commonwealth. General Smuts said the British Commonwealth still stood as proof that human government on a world scale was possible, but the world had moved into a sombre period and history—a great shift of world power and security had occurred and! some of the Empire’s losses could never be regained. British sea power might be recovered, even improved scientifically. but the Mediterarnean lifeline could never be recovered. Other dispositions must now be made to enable the Commonwealth make good, that grievous loss. The whole post-war position must he reviewed so that the Commonwealth could be fitted into the new pattern of world power. General Smuts added that if the Western Union with British membership was brought about, a middle group of Powers would arise at least equal to the other two. The world's security would then rest on a triangle of power, instead of being poised precariously between two Powers. In that western organisation j the United States must have a special position, because of the strength her association would provide. General Smuts saw no insuperable difficulty in Britain's dual relationship with Western Europe and the British Commonwealth. Both needed Britain, who, with her unrivalled worldwide experience in human affairs, her sense of justice, and her balanced judgment, had before her perhaps her greatest mission.