JOHNSON MIDDLE OF ROAD

Press, Issue 30997, 1 March 1966, Page 17

JOHNSON MIDDLE OF ROAD

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, Feb. 28.

President Johnson today was believed determined to steer a middle - of - the - road course in Vietnam which may well take the heat out of recent Liberal criticism of his policy.

At an informal press conference yesterday he clearly tried to convey the impression that the criticism had not touched the essence of his policy and that “there is much more than unites us than divides us.”

Reporters at the press conference agreed that the President gave the impression of a man in complete command of the situation.

Recent outbursts of criticism in the Senate, observers said, had been largely caused by fear that the Administration was moving uncontrollably towards a major war in South-east Asia, eventually involving a direct clash with China. Limited Aims The President, trying to allay these fears, has stressed that United States aims in Vietnam were limited. He said yesterday that the United States was not trying to seize power but to defeat aggression and establish a stable democratic government in Vietnam. He made it clear that he was searching for an honourable and just peace. Votes in Congress this week

are expected to uphold President Johnson's conduct of the war in Vietnam, says the Associated Press.

But they are unlikely to still completely the clamorous debate which has been swirling around his policy. Senators’ Amendment

Before getting to the authorisation bill the Senate is expected to support President Johnson by rejecting an effort to clip his power to conduct the undeclared war.

Senators Wayne Morse and Ernest Gruening are expected to offer tomorrow an amendment to the authorisation bill

restricting the President’s authority.

However, the President said yesterday he feels that even should Congress adopt the amendment his position as commander in chief and the nation’s treaty obligations would provide all the authority needed to carry on the war.

The President indicated that no major build-up of American troops in South Vietnam was planned for the immediate future although he left no doubt that more men would be sent as needed. There has been persistent speculation that the 205,000 Americans in South Vietnam would be doubled this year but. according to latest reports, the number of American reinforcements may be much smaller.

On the other hand, Mr Johnson once again warned the American people that there was no easy solution to the Vietnam conflict.