Evening star., 1961-04-29
Allied Military
Intervention
Held Possible
SEATO Council
Waiting Report
On PurIey Here
BY the Associated Press

President Kennedy summoned
the National Security Council
into extraordinary Saturday
session today amid deepening
anxiety here over Soviet-backed
rebel military successes in Laos.
There was speculation the
administration might be close
to a decision for allied military
intervention on the side of the
pro-Western Laotian govern
menU, but officials declined to
indicate what if any new steps
the President might order.
The slightly more than two
hour meeting ended with no i'm
mediate announcement of any
new moves to halt the Soviet
backed rebel offensive in Laos.
In Bangkok, Thailand, the
SEATO Council of Representa-
tives was called to meet tomor-
row to consider the Laotian Sit
uation and, a spokesman said,
to get report on today's Wash
ington discussions.
White House aides also
alerted congressional leaders
here to stand by for a possible
conference with Mr.. Kennedy
during the week end, although
it was indicated no such meet
ing was expected today.
Will Advise Leaders
Congressional informantS said
it was their understanding that
before Mr.. Kennedy makes any
final decision on what action
to take, he will advise leaders
of both parties of his plans.
The SEATO spokesman, call
ing the situation in Laos lex
tremely grave" declined to dis
cuss possibilities of military ac-
ton. But it was recalled the
eight-nation alliances council
of foreign ministers, who met
here last month, reserved the
right to take whatever action
may be appropriate in the cir
cumstances," should peace ef-
forts bog down.
Today's White House confer
ence was announced as a meet
ing of the National Security
Council, but some officials who
do not regularly attend its
meetings were observed enter
ing the White House.
These included Charles E.
Bohlen, the State Departments
top-ranking expert on Russia;
Edward R. Murrow, director of
the United States Information
Agency, and Secretary Of the
Army Elvis j. Stahr.
Dulles Brings Maps
Allen w. Dulles, director of
the Central Intelligence Agency,
arrived carrying maps and
charts.
Also sitting in were Attorney
General Robert F. Kennedy,
the Presidents brother, and 1t.
Gen. Lionel C. McGarr, chief of
the United States military as
sistance advisory group in Wet
Nam. Gen. McGarr, who was
called here for consultations,
was invited to the meeting be-
cause of his knowledge of the
military situation in Southeast
Asia.
1t was the Security Councils
third meeting in eight days
with Laos coming in for pri-
mary attention. The council
met last Saturday, and again
Thursday.
While the meeting was still in
session, Mr.. Kennedy called
another session of the council
for Monday at 4 pm.
United States officials said
today that by delaying the eff
fectiveneSs of a cease fire in
Laos, the Communicated rebels
seem to be trying to compel the
Boun Gum government to treat
them as victors and accept
them as the effective govern
ment in Laos.
Mr.. Kennedy returned to
Washington at los am. today
after a speech in Chicago last
might, where he said:
1--WE are the chief defender
of freedom in a time of maxi
mum danger. We have COM
mitted ourselves to the defense
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