CONCERN OVER BOMBING

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31449, 16 August 1967, Page 17

CONCERN OVER BOMBING

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

WASHINGTON, August 15.

Leading senators of both parties have disputed White House claims that new American air raids near the Chinese border were not an escalation of the Vietnam war.

Senator Charles Percy, Republican, Illinois, said President Johnson “has not only escalated the war but he has risked a widening of the war which could result in tens of thousands of additional casualties. The risk is simply not worth the slim potential gain,” U.P.L reported.

But President Johnson won support for the new strategy from a former President, General Dwight Eisenhower. As he ended a 10-day stay at Walter Reed Hospital, General Eisenhower told reporters: "If it is a military target it should be bombed if it Is necessary."

The house Republican leader, Mr Gerald Ford, who earlier accused the President of “pulling his punches” in the air war in North Vietnam, said the border strike represented "some improvement” but did not represent any major change in policy.

, The White House said the attack did not conflict with President Johnson’s oftenstated position that- he did not want a wider war. The Senate Democratic leader, Senator Mike Mansfield, told the Senate the raids served no significant military purpose and would “only serve to stiffen Hanoi’s spine." “Bombing within 10 miles or a minute away from China’s border is a very dangerous extension of war,” he said.

Senator J. William Fulbright said that China, with its severe internal disruptions, might be more predisposed now than ever to go to war with the United States to “bring the factions together." Senator Wayne Morse, a consistently outspoken critic of the war, said the bombing raids raised a “great possibility" that China would enter the war.

"I can say to the American people, it’s up to you. If you want to authorise the slaughtering of our boys, then encourage this Administration to escalate the war until they finally end up in a war with China.”

Senator Mansfield also mentioned the suggestions that had been made about quarantining or mining Haiphong Harbour. "Should we undertake this highly questionable move, it would create the possibility of a confrontation with the Soviet Union,” he said.

“The implications of these two moves could bring about retaliatory measures in Korea, Berlin and elsewhere."