Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-05
Nasser Is Seen
SettoFightfor
Suez Control
PorIey May Demand
Share in Authority
Over Waterway

LONDON, Aug. 4 Pl.-Replies
to invitations to the big Suez
conference started coming in to-
day while Britain and France
made ready to blow the military
whistle on President Canal Alb
del Nasser and his plans for
taking over the great Middle
East waterway.
Col. Nasser was reported by
a close Egyptian friend in Cairo
to have made UP his mind to
fight if necessary against the
British French American plan
to set up an international au-
thority over the SueZ Canal.
He was said to have almost
decided-but not quite--against
even accepting the three powers
invitation to the 24-nation con-
ference in London IL days hence
when the showdown may come
on whether the Suez crisis will
be decided peacefully or by force.
Sees Threats AS No Bluff
The Egyptian president was
described by his friend as being
convinced that the Western mil
itary threats were no bluff, and
as being worried that some in
cident might bring an armed
expedition down upon Egypt
But he was said to be resolved
to take the consequences and
to fight.
The London conference is ex-
pected to approve plan to as
sure that the 87-year-old canal
remains open to all nations and
is not subject to Egypt's ma
tional policy alone. Informants
have said the conference will go
on whether Egypt attends or not.
The British Foreign Office, for
courtesy reasons, refused to list
the nations which already have
accepted conference invitations,
leaving the announcement to
the countries themselves. First
Pakistan and then Portugal,
however, announced they had
accepted the bids. Premier Hus-
sein Ala of Iran said in an in
terview his country also would
attend.
Actually. however. the accept
ance of only Egypt, Russia. and
possibly India and Indonesia
seemed to be in any doubt.
Confers With Red Envoy
Col. Nasser conferred for an
hour and a half in Cairo today
with Soviet Ambassador E. D.
Kisselev. He had conferred for
an hour and As minutes last
night with United States AM
bassador Henry Byroade. Off,
Gals would not disclose what was
said at either conference.
India and Russia appeared to
be awaiting Col. Nasser's final
word before stating their own
position. A New Delhi spokes-
man, however. announced that
Prime Minister Nehru's rowing
foreign affairs adviser. v. K
Krishna Menon. had been as
signed to handle the Suez Canal
problem for India.
Britain's rock-like island base
of Malta in the Mediterranean
hustled with military activity
and apparently was being con-
verified as staging area fol-
the forces of both Britain anC
France in case they find it nec-
eSsary to strike a blow.
French Foreign Minister Chris.
tian Pineau stated the two
powers position to the Nationa
Assembly Yesterday. He said the
main reliance was being basec
on the London conference. out
if Col. Nasser refused to attenC
or spurned the conference deci-
sions. "all measures must. in oul
opinion. be taken to oblige hin
to submit"
Ready to Go 1t Alone
The two powers hoped FOL
United States support. but il
their eyes the issue appeared 81
vital that they seemed ready tt
go it alone if necessary.
The British War Office dis
closed extensive" troop move
ments were in progress 1t saiC
overseas servicemen due for dis
charge will have to wait awhil,
before returning home Ibecaus,
all transport is being monopolizet
ITO insure our position in tn,
eastern Mediterranean"
Britain's crack 10th Independ'
ent Parachute Brigade Group
was embarking on the aircraft
carrier Theseus at Portsmouth
The aircraft carrier Bulwark anC
the cruiser Glasgow we're to sal
Monday.
British authorities at Malta
cancelled weekend leaves TO
Continued nm Pare "A. Col