AGREEMENT AS TO TYPE OF ARMS U.S. WILL SUPPLY TO ALLIES

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1949, Page 5

AGREEMENT AS TO TYPE OF ARMS U.S. WILL SUPPLY TO ALLIES

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (Recd. 8 p.m.)—Substantially complete agreement has been reached on the types of arms the United States will send to her North Atlantic Pact Allies, said the Secretary of State, Mr. Acheson, today.

He added that some differences still remained as to the wording of the agreements which will govern the uses of the weapons. Mr, Acheson said he expected the North Atlantic Council to meet early in January to approve a statement on defence strategy. Under United States legislation the arms programme cannot begin until agreements covering the use of weapons have been completed and a statement of grand strategy approved. Senator Arthur Vandenberg said today that’ economic military aid to Western Europe should be continued, but sharply reduced. Senator Vandenberg, who wields great influence on Republican foreign policy, said the time had come for the Western Europe recipients of military aid to strive for more effective selfhelp; also the American Budget position required economies “all along the line.” He added, however, that although cuts in United States aid could be expected, the Americans should not forget that such aid was dictated by “our own self interest.”

Senator Vandenberg said he expected the bipartisan foreign policy would be continued in the coming session of Congress. Through the bipartisan policy the United States “spoke with maximum authority against those who would divide and conquer us and the free world.’’