On the Right

New York, June 20—Concerning the mess in the Middle East, a few observations:

1. It was said of Mr. Reagan while he was in Europe that the Israeli eruption cost him dearly in the coin of prestige. Reagan is viewed ex officio as the leader of the Free World. And this most definitely includes Israel, not only because Israel is a free country, but because Israel is free thanks directly to the United States, whose patronage was, and continues to be, indispensable to the survival of Israel.