Evening star., 1960-10-27
PRESTIGE

fkESII0E
Continued From First Page
public opinion polls in Britain
and France.
Fell After Summit Collapse
This report, as published in
full in the New York Times, in.
dicated that United States pres
tige fell considerably in those
two countries after the collapse
of the summit conference. The
polls showed that French and
British citizens blamed Soviet
Russia principally for that col
lapse. But the report also con-
tained such statements as these
! according to the Times:
Favorable opinion for the
United States as a country and
for President Eisenhower has
declined in the wake of the
summit conference.
United States losses Gin
prestige) appear to be much
more extensive among the
British than among the French
and in respect to evaluations
of Americas efforts to preserve
peace and willingness to side
with the United States in the
cold war, leave Americas
standing III Great Britain at
a record low for barometer
surveys to date"
Soviet Loss of Prestige
The Times said the survey
showed the Soviet Union also
lost prestige In the eyes of the
British and French after the
collapse Of the summit confer
ence.
The text of the survey print
ed by the Times said:
Favorable opinion for the
United States as a country, and
for President Eisenhower, has
declined in the wake of the
summit collapse, but, notwith-
standing, continues to predom-
mate by large margins in both
Great Britain and France, and
remains far ahead of Soviet
Russia and Premier Khru-
shchev, both Of whom have also
suffered losses in esteem"
While noting that British
and French confidence in the
United States is far above any
confidence in Russia, the re-
ports summary stated:
From more specific meas
ures of post summit attitudes
one Of the most significant in
dicationS is that. particularly
in Great Britain, current conf
dence is low in Americas ca
pacity for leadership in dealing
with present world problems. .
Questions asked in the public
opinion polls in Britain anC
France as the basis for the
USIA report of last June dealt
with blame for collapse of the
summit conference, reaction tt
the U-2 incident, esteem for the
United States and USSR
danger of another world war
confidence in United State.
leadership capacity, compare.
tive United States and USSF
standing in military strength
and space developments, thu
need for NATO, and attitude.
towards United States troops
and air bases.
A principal question was
How much confidence do yol
have in the ability of the UniteC
States to provide wise leader
ship for the West in dealini
with present world problems
very great, considerable, no
very much. or very little?"
Answers in Great Britain, &C
cording to the report, were yer,
great, 8 per cent; considerable
q per cent; not very much, 81
per cent; very little, 16 PEI
cent; no opinion, IA per cent.
Replies in France indicated
very great, 5 per cent; con,
siderable, 38 per cent; not very
much. "a per cent; very little
is per cent; no opinion, 10 pei
cent.
Comments in Debate
In both countries the repliei
showed a majority Of the peopll
/ polled thought Russia has gon
ahead of the United States Ii
!. total military strength ant
space exploration.
Neither Mr.. Nixon nor Sena
tor Kennedy has commented OF
! THAT survey report. In his tele'
Rised debate with his Demo
5 cratic rival last week Mr.. Nixor
said he had no objection to re-
; lease Of prestige poll materia
which Senator Kennedy charged