U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Leaves for Mediterranean

Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, Chief of Naval Operations, is leaving immediately for the Mediterranean to visit the Sixth Fleet as reports received here today told of the crossing of the Bosphoros Strait by a large number of Soviet cruisers, destroyers and other vessels bound into the Eastern Mediterranean.

The final destination of the Soviet force is not known. Suspicions are increasing here that the Soviets wish to bolster the positions of Egypt and Syria in the Arab world by naval display and activity. The Navy Department is awaiting information to indicate if the Soviet submarines that arrived this week at the Egyptian naval port of Alexandria are manned by Soviet personnel.

A question exists in official Washington today as to whether Egypt possesses six submarines in addition to three Soviet U-boats delivered. A special study made for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year said that six 250-ton submarines had arrived in Alexandria. The April, 1956, report said that 19 motor torpedo boats and four minesweepers were also delivered at about the same time by the Soviet Union.

Government officials today evaded reporters’ quests for information on whether U.S. intelligence agencies had confirmed the operation of the six submarines reported delivered to Egypt last year. One naval official, who refused to be quoted, said Egyptian naval personnel have been in training for submarine duty at a Soviet Baltic base since the winter of 1955-56.

Sen. Jacob K. Javits said on the Senate floor today that while Russia talks of disarmament it has sent submarines to Egypt that could only be used to cause trouble in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf of Akaba.