OPERATION
In an editorial February 8, the New York Times noted that in Vietnam "in many instances it is proving exceedingly painful to be rescued." An unnamed U.S. major, in explaining February 7 why Bentre was bombed, put it even more flatly: "It became necessary to destroy the town
the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.
But Johnson will sorely need an
alibi when he faces the voters next No-
vember in case of a disastrous defeat of
the U.S. forces in that area.
After the heroic assault on the
Moncada barracks was crushed, Fidel Cas-
tro defiantly proclaimed: "History will
absolve me." And the subsequent chapters
of the liberation struggle did precisely
that.
In contrast, Johnson wants to be
able to claim, "My generals will absolve
me." This is to be accomplished by let-
ting them take the rap for his own folly.
As yet, Johnson hasn't tried to
get insurance with Lloyd's of London
against a failure at Khesanh. In view of
the latest developments in Vietnam, it's
doubtful that such experienced gamblers
would care to underwrite so great a risk.
to save it." The logic of Johnson's war
becomes ever clearer. To save Saigon,
Hanoi was bombed. To save the center of
Saigon, its suburbs were bombed. And if
the escalation goes on? Resources still
remain. With the H-bomb, Johnson can res-
cue all of humanity should the need arise.
CLARK CLIFFORD -- "