The Arab Pact of Union
The signing of the pact of union of the Arab States at Cairo last week set the seal to a remarkable movement which is of profound significance for the Middle East. It is a regional under- standing which is perfectly consistent with general plans for world security, but it is much more than that. It arises from a deeply ingrained sentiment of unity among the Arab peoples which is now directed into political channels, but it has been negotiated with a statesmanship which has aimed not merely at bringing the Arab States together, but at harmonising their common action with the principles which govern Allied policy for world security ; and the framers of the pact, anxious as they may be to include Palestine as an independent member in the future, have carefully refrained from saying anything which suggests interference with the status of that country. The pact sets up a Union council composed of representa- tives of member States, each of which will have one vote, and this body, besides supervisingthe carrying out of conventions concluded among the members, will study the means of collaborating with international organisations. Recourse to force for the settlement of disputes between members is forbidden, and machinery is created for arbitration and conciliation. In general, the aim will be the strengthening of friendship between the Arab States, the coordina- tion of their policy, and the safeguarding of their independence. Friends of the Arabs will cordially welcome this valuable accord.
