Western Union Plan Taken Step Further

Chronicle (Levin), 11 February 1948, Page 3

Western Union Plan Taken Step Further

(N.Z.P.A. — Reuter . Copyrightf Keceivod Tuesdav, 7 p.m. LONDON, Peb. 10. Two sets of proposals and reports which are at proseut being studied in London, are expected to take Mr. Bevin's plans for a Western European alliance a 6ousider.able step furtli'er. The iirst set embodies the comnients of the Benelux countrfes upon Mr. Bevin's Western Union plan. The second is a report of the international study gronp set up by the Paris conference upon a suggested Western Eilrope Customs Union. This report has been prepared following a eonference of economic representatives of sixteen , .Marshali Aid countries in Brussels last week. The conclusions of the Benelux allianee have not yet been published in detail but they are understood to suggest that any treaty between Britain and Franee on the oue hand and Benelux on the other, sliould include proteetive ])rovisions not only against aggressioif1 by Germany but also against aggression from any quarter wliatever. If this suggestion is adojited it means any Anglo-Frencli-Benelux alliance would be on a eonsiderably broader | basis than the jxresent Anglo-French mutual aid ])act which is directed only against Gennany. The Benelux couni tiies also want to trcat with Britain

and Franee as one politieal entity and not as individuals. If this point is conceded, it would pla.ce Benelux in a mucli stronger position as collectively the three partners in that alliance represent. a European population of 18,000,000 and a colonial population of 80,000,000 backed by very valuable material resources. The Benelux partners further suggest that as a condition of any alliance with Britain and Franee, they should be given an appropriate voice in AngloFrencli foreign poliey, particularly in regard to the future administration of Germany. These representations are likelv to be considered in London this month by Britain, the United fdtates and Franee. The Bcandinavian countries of iSweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, are still displaying marked reserve towards proposals that they should join a Western Union alliance. ftweden and Denruark have already announced that they will not depart from their traditional poliey of neutrality ancf although Norway appears to be t more favourably disposed 'towards alliance with Britain and Franee, it is obvious from the studious ignoring of Western Union proposals during last week' s debates in the Storthing, that the Norwegians are also anxious to preserve Scandinavian solidarity. The Foreign Ministers of the five Scandinavian countries are due to meet in Oslo on February 23 when. the matter will be further diseussed. In the meantime the Russians are showing open hostility to any suggestions that the Scandinavian bloe may participate in Mr. Bevin's plans. The semi-ofiicial Soviet journal, Bed Fleet, said-on Saturday that Russia would regard any "bloc building," whether by joining the Revin plan or otherwise, as ' ' aggressive action aimed at the Soviet Union. ' ' Proposals for the formation of a Western European Customs Union are not- only closely eonnected with the Marshali plan but also with Mr. Bevin's proposals. It is therefore interestmg to note that Brussells reports state considerable progress was made by the international economic study group in setting up comniittees and nndertaking essential preparatory worlc All these reports are expected to be completed in time for consideration by the Marshali Aid nations in the middlc * of April. Xn addition to the Benelux Customs

4 Uuiou which is already fuuctioniug, similar unious between Italy and Franee, the Scandinavian countries and Turkey and Greece, are at present nnder diseussion. If proposals for a general European Customs Union sneeeed, these individual agreements may be merged into a • general economic agreement ineorporating all or the majority of the countries partieipating )in the Marshali plan. Britain so far- ' has not eommit^ed herself to a European Customs Union bnt the British delegation took a very active 'part in the Brussels eonference,,