Evening star., 1954-04-19
Editors Disapprove
Way Nixon Disclosed
Views on Indo-China
By the As.oeiosed Press

NEW YORK, April ia New
York Times survey of newspaper
executives yesterday showed
strong disapproval Of the way
in which Vice President Nixon
made known his views on the
Indo-China situation Friday.
Mr.. Nixon, after a speech be-
fore TOO members of the Ameri-
can Society of Newspaper Edi-
tors in Washington, said in
answer to a theoretical question
that it might become necessary
to send United States troops to
Indo- China.
He authorized publication of
his statement on grounds that it
not be attributed to him per-
Sonally. The use of the phrase
"a high administration official"
was authorized.
European newspapers revealed
the Vice President as the source
Of the statement and he was
later generally identified in the
United States press.
Split on Wisdom Of Move.
All newspaper publishers ques-
toned by the Times criticized
the method used by the Vice
President in disclosing his in
formation.
Newspaper executives and pub
fishers are gathering in New York
to attend the annual meetings
of the Associated Press and the
American Newspaper Publishers
Association.
The Times survey showed diff
ferences of opinion on the wis
dom of sending United States
troops to Indo-C China, aside from
the question of Mr.. Nixon's
method of disclosing his infor-
nation.
Mark F. Ethridge of the Louis
vile KyO Courier journal and
Times, said it might become nee
essary to send American troops
into the Indo-C China war, even
If the French should not quit. if
Dien Bien Phu should fall and
1t appeared that Indo-China
might be lost to Communism
He said, however, it was "very
risky and dangerous for a man
80 high" as Mr.. Nixon to express
such a proposal "by indirection.
''Next Thing to Insanity"
Col. Robert R. Mccormick, ed
itor and publisher of the Chicago
Tribune, said Mr.. Nixon'S- Sug-
gestion was "the next thing to
insanity. He talks like a glib
bering idiot. We should stay out
of Indo- China no matter what
happens.
Col. Mccormick also said it
was ridiculous to say that any,
thing was "off the record that's
said before 700 people, or even
five people" Mr.. Nixon, he
added, must have known his re-
marks would be published
around the world.
John s. Knight. publisher Of
the Detroit Free Press, the
Miami Herald, the Chicago
Daily News and the Akron
(Ohio) Beacon-Journal, said:
ST think Mr.. Nixon gave an
excellent factual report on the
situation in Indo-C China, but I
disagree vehemently with his
conclusions about sending our
troops there. Our papers will
oppose that strongly"
Mr.. Knight added that 1t
would be ridiculous to think he
(Mr. Nixon spoke without the
President knowing how far he
was ready to CO."
Decision for Congress"
Frank E. Gannett of Rochester.
N. Y, who publishes % papers,
said he was "sorry Vice Presi-
dent Nixon went as far as he
did"
IF troops are to be sent to
Indo-China, Mr.. Gannett said,
"that's a decision for Congress
to make, not for any admins
trative officer I think (Indo-
China Isl the toughest part Of
the world to carry on a military
operation"
Norman Chandler Of the Los
Angeles Times said he was sure
Nixon wanted to send up a trial
balloon" He added that it
doesn't make very good sense"
for so high an administration Of
fetal to express himself on Such
an important issue without put
ting it on the record.
Mr.. Chandler said, "I certainly
hope we're not going to have to