Editorial Note
From August 10 to September 9 the first meeting of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe took place at Strasbourg. Paul-Henri Spaak of Belgium was unanimously elected President of the Assembly, which set up a permanent committee to preserve its existence between sessions. A statement by Secretary of State Acheson was released to the press on August 12. Expressing the gratification of the United States Government, Mr. Acheson said that “we welcome any development which promotes constructive international integration.” The establishment of the Council of Europe “demonstrates that [Page 318] measures which until recently were considered beyond the bounds of practical politics have come to be practical and have actually been taken.” Mr. Acheson also stated that Mr. Spaak combined “exceptional breadth of vision with highly practical statesmanship.” (Department of State Bulletin, August 22, 1949, page 269)