Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-14

to flow to the free markets of the
world.
If the totalitarian government
OF Russia gets control of these
Immense oil resources, then the
free world. as far as Europe and
Africa are concerned, will be
choked to death. Russia will
have what she wants. because
poverty and squalor are what
they work revolutions on. Let
the people of the Middle East
not be deceived. The Russians
will make any kind of an agree
ment when it suits their expan-
sionist purpose. But they have
no idea of keeping their agree
ments once they gain control.
I would therefore urge the ma
tions Of the Middle East to get
together. ] would even go so far
as to suggest that the whole
Mediterranean from Gibraltar
to the Alden Gulf be developed
In one overall plan. What this
area needs is development. 1t
has the resources. We have the
skillS and experience. These skills
are experience are more neces-
sary than our money.
Durable Peace Possible
Pax Romano once came close
to bringing peace and prosperity
to this entire area. / believe that
working with the tools Of
modern industrial democracy.
and striving with patience and
understanding to overcome exist
ing fears. jealousies and rivalries.
We can take a long step toward
Q durable peace.
E Unless we sponsor SUCH a pro-
gram. the ancient rivalries and
economic backwardness in the
Middle East will leave the back
door open to Soviet penetration
and further enting OF
trouble. The ultimate hope for
the Middle Eastern countries is
to work with the West if they
are to retain their national SOW
ereignties and control of their
own deStinies. The other alterna-
tive is for them to turn to Rus
STA, from whom they may expect
only a Hungarian peace.
The developments in the Mid
die East and my own experience
with Russian designs there make
me feel uneasy about the de-
lay in confronting the basic fac
tors that still imperil peace in
that strategic area. hope We dc
not lose sight Of the dangers we
face while debate continues ovel
the Presidents requests for au-
thorization to commit the mill
tary forces of the United States
against Communist aggression ir
the Middle East, and the right tC
spend free of restrictions $780,
100000 for special aid projects
there.
1 believe there is more to be
lost than gained in the present
world situation by too long a de-
lay in supporting the Presidents
requests. We must understand
that a commitment to oppose
open aggression and the pour
ing in Of piecemeal aid to the
Middle East, while urgently anc
Immediately necessary. would moi
get to the roots Of the troubles
there.
Risks Are Evident
Too long a discussion about the
Presidents proposals. no matter
how valid the criticism of them
may seem, could lead to two un-
fortunate results:
First-Final endorsement Of
the Presidents request, if toe
long delayed and too fiercely de-
bated, may lead to the wrong
and risky assumption that these
proposals are the only measure:
needed to safeguard the peace
of the Middle East. The fact il
that armed conflict may explode
at any time if the control of the
Suez Canal is not speedily anC
equitably worked out, and If the
Israel-Arab boundary disputes
are not settled, and If the ship.
ment of arms by Russia to thi'
area is not stopped forthwith.
The second danger in delay
In approving the Presidents re.
quests is that we may be led tC
overlook the fact that no peace
is possible in the Middle East
until we tackle the overall
problem of economic develop
ment and cooperation between
all the nations in that area
Until we succeed in making u
possible for those nations u
provide a higher standard Of
living for all the people b.
wiping out the terrible proverty
disease and primitive living COIL
ditions they will continue to be
open prey to Communist designs
The resources, and wealth Of
tnese areas provided by the