Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-29
2 U.S.. Moves Studied
For Peace in Mideast
Troops and
Economic
Aid Involved
BY the Associated Press

The Eisenhower administra-
ton tested the wind of congress
sional and public reaction today
to a double-barreled idea for
keeping Midle East peace with
military pressure and vast eco
nomic aid.
Secretary of State Dulles. who
worked out the idea, was ready
to unveil it officially with Presi-
dent Eisenhower at a New Years
Day conference with Democratic
and Republican leaders of Con-
gress at the White House.
Meanwhile. the suggestion was
allowed to leak" to some news
men. In that way, the admins
tration hoped it would not come
as a complete surprise to the
legislators on Tuesday and the
public would be prepared for
possible new United States policy
moves in the troubled Middle
East.
Purpose of the idea-still too
tenuous to be called a proposal
was understood to be primarily
this: To put Russia on notice
that any Middle East aggression
would not go unchallenged.
COvets Middle East Ports
Russia since the time of the
Cars has coveted the Middle
East'S warm water ports. Now
the areas vast oil resources are
an added lure. With British and
French prestige waning in the
Middle East. new and holder
Soviet economic and military
intrusions are expected.
Britain and France have been
urging the United States to step
into the power vacuum before
Russia does.
Mr.. Eisenhower was reported
ready to throw the full force of
his office into a vigorous appeal
to the congressional leaders to
back this idea:
!. Specific standby authority,
similar to that voted him to
deal with the FormoSa crisis in
early 1855, to use United States
troops in the Middle East if he
deemed it necessary.
2. A far-reaching economic aid
program for the Middle East,
perhaps totaling as mucn as a
Ihalf-billion dollars. This would
go to both Israel and the Arab
countries on assurances from
them that they would end their
bitter rivalry.
Reaction Awaited
Although Mr.. Eisenhower is
reported in favor of Mr.. Dulles
idea. 1t is possible he would de-
eide not to press it if the con-
lgreSsional leaders gave it a cold
reception. That was that hap
pened when Mr.. Dulles himself
preached the standby authority
idea with the leaders last April
10, at a time of Arab Israeli
border clashes.
Initial congressional reaction,
somewhat slow in appearing,
seemed cool. Of three Senator'S
reached. one Democrat opposed
the standby idea. another Demo-
crat withheld comment, and a
Republican thought 1t all right.
Senator Mansfield, Democrat
OF Montana. opposing. said the
United Nations is the place to
solve the Middle East peace rid
die.
Senator Green. Democrat OF
Rhode Island, scheduled TO be-
come Foreign Relations Commit
tee chairman. declined comment
until there is a formal pro-
Iposal"
I Senator Wiley. Republican Of
Wisconsin. former committee
chairman. said ne fayors stand
by authority II Mr.. Eisenhower
Judges he should have IL.
] Mr.. Dulles Is flying TO New
York City tomorrow. and will
confer at lunch Monday with
u. N. Secretary General Dag
Hammarskjold on the whole
Middle East situation" as the
State Department announce
lment put 1t yesterday. He also
will talk with Henry Cabot
Lodge. IT,, United States Am
bassador 10 the U. N.
Mr. Dulles is due back in
Washington shortly before noon