Portrait of the Week
THIS week's flurry of sinister activity in the Levant has proved again, if anyone re- mained unconvinced, that peace in the Middle East is likely to remain a mirage for some time. Russia has followed arms for Syria with abuse for the Western Powers delivered in a flutter of Notes on the subject of the perfidious 'war of nerves' waged by Britain and America against Syria, and the use of Israel as a 'tool of colonial policy.' The impression created by these Notes can hardly have been lessened by the announcement the following day by the State Department that delivery of American arms to Jordan and other Arab countries would be hastened, and by a portentous repetition of the Eisenhower doctrine by its author. This last took the form of a warning to Syria of the dangers of aggression and a hope that 'the people of Syria would allay the anxiety caused by recent events' (presumably by throwing out the present govern- ment). On the other side, not to be outdone, was Colonel Nasser promising unlimited and uncon- ditional support for Syria from Egypt in the 'battle of Arab nationalism.' Later comments were heard from Mr. Gromyko, who issued a heavy warning to Turkey, whose troops he said were massing on the Syrian border, and from Mr. Dulles, who said that his belief in a peaceful out- come was 'largely an act of faith.'
Plenty of other opportunities for diplomatic dialectic have cropped up and been eagerly seized. The disarmament talks in London have been indefinitely adjourned after nearly six months' siding; and the delegation after polite recriminations have returned home to prepare their briefs for a debate on the subject at the next session of the General Assembly. A special sitting is already taking place to discuss the ques- tion of Hungary and, in spite of protests from the Soviet and Hungarian delegates that the business was outside the jurisdiction of the UN, it seems likely to continue and to end in the con- demnation of Russia. The debate may perhaps be affected by a letter from a member of the Nagy government which had been smuggled out of gaol and later published in Vienna, urging the West never to give up the Hungarian question until the Russians are prepared to negotiate. The last Soviet shot was another attempt to influence the West German elections by a fierce attack on NATO and Federal Germany's attachment to it.
Americans have another racial outburst on their hands. The Governor of Arkansas, in spite of an exchange between himself and the White House and the force of a Federal injunction against him, is still using guards to keep Negro children away from a newly 'integrated' school and has now side-tracked the issue into the question of state sovereignty. He has prepared for possible martyrdom in the cause by remarking that if blood is spilled his conscience will be clear but he will weep for his people. There have been other signs of trouble—bomb explosions in new schools and riots in various parts of the South.
Sir John Harding has said that terrorism has not yet stopped in Cyprus. French farmers have been harrying the Finance Minister for a week over the price of corn, and Italian wine growers are dis- turbed by the lack of serious drinking going on in that country. A north-west passage has been discovered round the north of Canada. Tokyo now claims to be the largest city in the world.
The TUC has finished its deliberation for another year without many fireworks, and little illumination except those provided by Blackpool. Wage restraint was rejected, under the guidance of Mr. Cousins; an attempt by a Communist to label the Hungarian rising as Fascist was shouted down; the question of public ownership was treated cautiously, except that the machine-tool industry was earmarked for future nationalisation. The Labour Party, limbering up for its annual conference, has come out with a pamphlet saying that 'automation' is pretty confused concept. The Wolfenden Report has generally been well received, but a Conservative MP who served on the committee has been threatened with expulsion from the party for subscribing to its views on homosexuality.
Cigarettes are to go up in price again. Bally- moss won the St. Leger.
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