ASIA: Soothing Syrup

The confused and confusing war in Laos last week swiftly brought the great powers of the world together at the United Nations. At stake: What sort of response to make to Laos' appeal for help in fighting off the Communists of North Viet Nam? Ever since the Korean war, a succession of Russian nyets has prevented the Security Council from acting in the quick, decisive manner envisioned for it in the U.N. Charter. Last week once again the Soviet Union, playing for time that would enable Red invasion force to overthrow the government of Laos, was ready to veto any proposed U.N. action. But this time U.S. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge came up with a surprise. Months ago he had ordered his staff to pore through the thousands of pages of Security Council proceedings in search of a model for a veto-proof resolution. Owing to Lodge's foresight, the U.S. was ready when the Laotian case unexpectedly came before the Council.

Acting under Article 29 of the U.N. Charter, Lodge called for the creation of a "procedural" subcommittee of inquiry, rather than for an "investigating" group that would be substantive and thus subject to the veto. On the Bandwagon. Cleared in advance with all Council members except the Soviet Union, the Lodge resolution passed 10-1.