Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-29
Riff Over Suez Pact
Offers Opportunity
To Gust Churchill
BY the Assoeiaisd Press

LONDON, July pa serious
Conservative Party rift over
Britain's Suez Canal zone pact
with Egypt handed the Laborite
opposition a tempting chance
today to force the resignation
of Prime Minister Churchill. It
was doubtful the Socialists
would seize the chance.
The test comes in q House Of
Commons vote tonight on q
Churchill motion demanding
parliamentary approval Of the
agreement to pull Britain's
$4,000 troops out of the strategic
canal zone.
A group Of 40 rebellious Con-
servatives, angered at seeing an
other bit of Britain's dwindling
empire crumble away, have
served notice they will vote
against the government.
Position Uncomfortable.
With only a nominal conserva-
tive majority of 20 votes in the
625-member house, the Prime
Minister thus was in the I'M
comfortable position Of having
to depend on his Socialist OPP
ponents for the support neces-
sary to put his policy across. ;
The ticklish situation in Com
mons was one of several trou-
bles currently plaguing the old
warrior. who has yet shown no
inclination to heed the urging
of his wife and doctors that he
retire.
In the House of Lords there
was an almost unprecedented
scene last night as Lord Read
ing. minister of state for foreign
affairs, set forth the govern
ment's position in support of the
SueZ agreement. Angered peers.
who normally support the gov
eminent, complained they had
no time to study the pact. They
became silent only after the
House leader, Lord Salisbury.
one of Sir Winston's closest adj
visers. Withdrew a request for
immediate approval Of the agree
ment.
Sir Winston was harassed also
by a cabinet shakeup.
Cyprus Demand Pressed.
Abroad, Greece served notice
she would bring her demand for
Cyprus before the United Ma
lions despite Britain's decision
to grant the colony q constitu-
ton that would advance it nearer
to self-rule. The Churchill gov
eminent served notice yesterday
Britain plans to hold on to the
fortress island in the Mediter-
ranean, to which she plans to
shift troops from the Suez.
Laborite members of Com
mons were thoroughly enjoying
the Conservatives dilemma, but
they kept their plans to them
selves.
Most observers thought the
Socialists could not vote Sir
Winston out on the Suez issue
without compromising their own
principles. The official policy
of the Labor Party has long been
in favor of pulling British troops
out of the canal zone. -- .
These observers pointed out
also that the Socialists realized
If they toppled the Churchill
government at this time, they
would be accused Of hypocrisy.
Themselves badly split between
the moderate followers of former
Prime Minister Clement Attlee
and the leftist rebels led by
Aneurin Bevan. the Laborites
also would run the risk Of
sound trouncing in the general
election which would follow
government fall.
Attlee Opposes Upset.
Mr.. Attlee was reported to
have advised his colleagues they
could not conscientiously refuse
Sir Winston a vote of confidence.
But some Socialists were re-
ported to feel that the Suez
agreement could legitimately be
opposed as failing to provide
Israel with guarantees against
Arab aggression after British
troops pull out.
Speaking for the pact yester-
day. Foreign Secretary Anthony
Eden told Commons that Britain.
together with the United States
and France, was determined to
guard the peace between Israel
and her Arab neighbors.
There were reports that the
rebellious Conservatives. led by
Capt. Charles Waterhouse. had
agreed privately to abandon
their revolt and uphold the gov
eminent if the Laborites pull a
fast one.