EISENHOWER’S DECISION

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27894, 16 February 1956, Page 13

EISENHOWER’S DECISION

Doctors Approve Second Term

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, February 15. President Eisenhower has left for a week of rest in Georgia to consider whether to stand again for the Presidency after being told by a team of doctors that he should be able carry on an active life for another five to 10 years. The doctors’ evaluation of Mr Eisenhower’s health was given at a press conference by Dr. Paul Dudley White, his chief consultant after his heart attack case, after six physicians concluded a new examination of the President. All the doctors concurred in the statement that Mr Eisenhower should be able to carry on in the White House for another five to 10 years. Asked whether he recommended that the President seek reelection, Dr. White replied: “The choice is his, not ours.”

In the nature of things, the doctors findings .vill be a factor in the President’s decision—possibly to be announced in about two weeks—whether to seek re-election. Mr Eisenhower told a press conference last Wednesday that he probably would rely more on how he felt than on what his doctors told him about his condition. Mr Eisenhower has said too that he expected to have enough information by March 1 to make up his mind, and that he did not intend to dilly-dally over the question. At the start of the medical press conference, Mr Eisenhower’s personal physician (Major-General Howard Snyder) read a prepared statement on behalf of himself and the other doctors. This said their finding showed that the President had made a good recovery *rom the attack of coronary thrombosis which occurred last autumn. , The statement also said Mr Eisenhower’s health continued to be satisfactory. The first question put to General Snyder after he had read the joint statement was whether, in the doctors’ judgment, Mr Eisenhower could serve another four years without damage to his heart or general health. “We believe,” General Snyder replied. “that he can serve four to five years or longer in active life in a position of great responsibility.” Dr. White was even more specific when a reporter put to Dr. White the same question which had been asked of General Snyder, the doctor replied: ‘‘After weighing very carefully all the available evidence, including our own experience, and fully aware of the hazards and uncertainties that lie ahead, we believe that medically the chances are that the President should be able to carry on an active life satisfactorily for another five to 10 years. Eut the choice is his, not ours.” Dr. White, in reply to questions seeking clarification, said that when he mentioned ‘‘an active life” he meant another five to 10 years in the Presidency.