Atlantic Pact May Be Signed Before End Of March In Washington

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 March 1949, Page 5

Atlantic Pact May Be Signed Before End Of March In Washington

Key Provision May Concern "Use Of Armed Force"

LONDON, March 8 (Rec. 7.45 p.m.).—Saying that it is now confidently expected in London that the Atlantic Pact will be signed in Washington before the end of this month, the “Daily Herald’s” diplomatic correspondent adds that the text of the Pact will be made public in advance so that Parliaments of the signatory countries can, if they wish, discuss it before it is signed.

The Pact, he says, will provide not only for immediate help in the event of attack but for mutual aid in the preparation of defence, and for consultation if there seems to be any danger- of attack.

The correspondent adds that the likeliest arrangement is that Britain,

France, Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg, the United States and Canada \ will sign the Pact as foundation members, while simultaneously Norway, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, and, perhaps, Iceland will sign an “act of accession.’’ It will be made clear, he says, that the Pact is entirely defensive and that the signatories (in ac- • cordance with the U.N.O. Charter) will use neither force no r threat of force against any nation which keeps the peace. The Chicago "Sun-Times,” in a despatch from its London correspondent, says the proposed North Atlantic Security Pact binds the signatory nations to the 'use of armed force” if any of them is attacked. The “SunTimes” story lists 12 articles which, it claims, are the first known details of the proposed alliance. A key provision, according to the “Sun-Times,” states “An attack against one or more or the parties, both in Europe and North America, will be considered as an attack against all. In consequence they will assist the party or parties attacked by taking immediately, both individually and collectively, such action, including the use Y>f armed force that is deemed necessary to restore and maintain security.”

According to the “Sun-Times’ the Pact states that the armed force provision should not be interpreted as affecting the mechanisms provided in the United Nations Charter, and that “any armed attack will be reported to the Security Council.” The signatories "solemnly declare that this Treaty does not contradict any engagement now in force between any of the signatories and any third party.” Another important provision defines the area wherein the Alliance operates. The provision, according to the “Sun-Times,” reads: "Armed attack on the area of any of the parties in Europe, North America or Algeria o r against the military forces of the parties in Europe or against any territory, island possession, vessel or aircraft in the North Atlantic area would be deemed an armed attack.” It was the “armed force” provision that caused a diplomatic flurry because some members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee believed it went too far in committing the United States, while some major powers, such as France, thought it did not go far enough.