By Acquiescence

Early last week the Kern Hills, flying the U.S. flag, dropped anchor off Elath at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and began to pump off its load of 16,500 tons of oil from Iran. Its arrival was almost unremarked. The U.N. troops still occupy the Egyptian side of the narrows, so Egypt could not shoot off its guns. No guns barked from the Saudi Arabian shores either, though Saudi Arabia had threatened to bar the Aqaba Gulf to unwanted ships. Israel, which had celebrated the Kern Hills' first voyage with crowing triumph, this time censored news of its arrival, apparently concluding that the safest way to keep the Gulf open was to avoid stirring up Arab pride.

Thus an issue which had seemed explosive only two months ago seemed to be gradually subsiding into a tacit acquiescence. As usual, Arab leaders were making suitable protests to satisfy their public. Last week they ordered the Kern Hills blacklisted in all Arab countries. They had already asked Iran to refuse to sell any more oil to Israel; Iran promised, but it is not yet clear whether Iran will object to having its oil sold to various "John Does" who might or might not sell to Israel.

Three months ago the talk was of sending a U.S. "test" ship to carry out the U.S.'s pledge to Israel "to exercise the right of free and innocent passage," backing that right by force if necessary. John Foster Dulles, asked why he kept emphasizing a ship of U.S. registry, explained: "I do not think that the U.S., in the absence at least of a treaty or congressional action, has authority to use force to defend the rights of ships of another registry." Now the U.S. seemed quietly content to let precedent and usage do the job without fanfare. Happily, whoever wished to dispute that right had to make the first move--either by firing at the passing ships, stopping them, or bringing the case to the International Court of Justice.

Two months after, no Arab nation had made such a move.

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