“committee to Save Middle East from Communism” Formed in U.S.

The formation of a new “Committee to Save the Middle East from Communism” advocating a strong United States show of force in that area was announced yesterday by Louis Bromfield, who is co-chairman of the group. Pierre van Paassen is the other co-chairman and Peter H. Bergson will act as executive vice chairman.

The statement issued by Mr. Bromfield called the agitation over the Arab-Israel dispute a “smokescreen” for Communist penetration. It added that the real dispute, was a Russian-American one and that those who urged that the matter be taken out of domestic politics were “at the very least, unwittingly aiding the Communist cause.” Among the proposals of the new group’s program are the granting of arms to Israel and the extension of a strong guarantee to Egypt, if Egypt is truly afraid of Israeli attack.

Mr. Bromfield also advocated a show of force by the United States, including the dispatch of an American battleship to the Haifa vicinity, as a deterrent to aggressive moves. He added that Egypt should be warned that she cannot expect aid from the United States, so long as she receives aid from Russia. Asked whether American Marines aboard the battleship should fight in the event of aggression, he replied in the affirmative. He also said he thought the suggestion that United Nations patrols should police the borders was a “good idea.”

Mr. Bergson revealed that a group of Congressional sponsors for the new committee was now in formation and that the names of this group would be announced shortly. In response to a question, Mr. Bergson also revealed that he was still “technically” an Israeli citizen, but stated that he was in the process of naturalization as a citizen of the United States.