Atlantic Pact As First Line Of Defence

Chronicle (Levin), 27 May 1949, Page 5

Atlantic Pact As First Line Of Defence

— v- ■ Received Thursdav, 7 p.m. ^ NEW YORK, May 25. The North Atlantic Pact was just as \ ital to I nited States securitv as if was to the smallest signatorv Government, Mr. -Louis J'ohnson. United States >>eeretary of Defence, said "tonight. "It is for us a first line of our own defence. Xature and the world being what they are, there can be no literal guarantee of peaee todav. Anofher generation tomorrow, as yesferdav, may be callerl unon to fight an aggressor. The Nortli Atlantie Pact will go far toward stiengthemng tlie will to resisf, aggres>ion. America 's militarv assistance n-ooramme will further this determin ation. "With the Pact we serve notiee on the world that we have a grea^ stake m the peace of Europe and that we are alert to the implications of aggressive acts that may distnrb that peace. In *igning the Pact we dedare to the world that the securitv of our land is inseparablv bound to the freedom of Western Europe. "This treaty maxshals to the cause of freedom, over 300,000,000 pe»pie rooted in tradition against tyranny and oppression." _ Mr. Johnson added that the United states must also give the free peoples "the sinews of battle to help them resist an aggressor. That is why we proi>ose to embark on a inilitary aid programme — aid not only for the nations vylio joined the Atlantic Pact, but also for Greece, Tixrkev and other free nations too. " 8 Alr. Johnson described the cost of the first year's militarv aid £just short of 1,500,000,000 dolbtrSj." as a premium well worth pa.ving for the added security it would buy.