Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-07-16

vooico 1fhkkcu through tne
streets.
At about the same time there
was discovered q highly organ
lied plot 10 overthrow the law
full government Of Jordan.
Warned and alarmed by these
developments. President Cha
noun Of Lebanon sent 10 me an
urgent plea that the United
States station some military
units In Lebanon. This would.
he felt. evidence our concern
for the independence OF Leb-
anon. that little country which
itself has for about two months
been subjected TO civil strife.
This civil strife has been ac-
lively fomented by Soviet and
Cairo broadcasts and abetted
and aided by substantial
amounts Of arms. money and
personnel infltrated into Leb-
anon across the Syrian border.
President Glamour stated
that without an immediate
show Of United States support.
the government Of Lebanon
would be unable to survive
against the forces which had
been loose in the area.
The plea Of President Cha
noun was supported by the
unanimous action Of the
Lebanese cabinet.
Consulted Leaders
After giving this plea earnest
thought and after taking adj
vice from leaders Of both the
executive and congressional
branches Of the Government,
I decided to comply with the
plea Of the government of
Lebanon. A few hours ago a
battalion of United States Ma
rines landed and took up sta
tons in and about the city Of
Beirut.
The mission of these forces is
to protect American lives
there are about $500 Ameri-
cans in Lebanon-and by their
presence to assist the govern
ment of Lebanon to preserve
its territorial integrity and
political independence.
The United States does not,
OF course. intend to replace the
United Nations which has a
primary responsibility to main
tain international peace and
security. We reacted as we did
within a matter of hours be-
cause the situation was such
that only prompt action would
suffice. We have, however, with
equal promptness moved in the
United Nations. This morning
there was held at our request
and emergency meeting of the
United Nations Security Coun-
Gil. At this meeting we reported
the action we have taken. We
stated the reasons therefore.
We expressed the hope that the
United Nations would itself
take measures which would be
adequate to preserve the in
dependence of Lebanon sand
permit Of the early withdrawal
OF the United States forces.
I should like now to take a
few minutes to explain the
situation in Lebanon.
Close Ties With U. S.
Lebanon is a small country.
d little less than the size of
Connecticut. with a population
Of about is million. 1t has
always had close and friendly
relations with the United
States. Many of you no doubt
have known of the American
University at Beirut which has
a very distinguished record.
Lebanon has been a prosperous,
peaceful country. thriving on
trade largely with the West. A
little over a year ago there was
a general election, held in an
atmosphere of total calm,
which resulted in the estab-
liShment. by an overwhelming
popular vote, of the present
Parliament for a period of four
years. The term of the Pres
ident, however. is of a different
duration and would normally
expire next September. The
President. Mr.. Glamour, has
previously made clear that he
does not seek reelection.
When the attacks on the
government Of Lebanon began
to occur two months ago, 1t
took the matter to the United
Nations Security Council.
pointing out that Lebanon was
the victim of indirect agrees
sion from without. AS a result,
the Security Council sent OBJ
servers to Lebanon in the hope
OF thereby insuring that hostile
Intervention would cease. Sec
tary-General Hammarskiold
undertook a mission to the area
to reinforce the work of the
observers.
We believe that his efforts
and those Of the United Ma
tons observers were helpful.
They could not eliminate arms
or ammunition or remove per-
sons already sent into Lebanon.
But We believe they did reduce
such aid from across the bor-
der. So it seemed. last week,
that the situation was moving
toward a peaceful solution
which would preserve the in
tegrity Of Lebanon, and end in
direct aggression from without.
Why Troops Were Asked
Those hopes were, however.
dashed by the events of yester-
day in Iraq and Jordan. These
events demonstrate scope of
aggressive purpose which tiny
Lebanon could not combat
without further evidence of
support. That is why Lebanon's
request for troops from the
United States was made. That