In spite of a series of sharp border clashes during which Indian troops have crossed into the rebellious Pakistani state of East Bengal “self‐defense,” India and Pakistan so far have held back from all‐out war. International diplomacy still has a chance to intervene for peace on the subcontinent.

India appears to be following a policy of gradually increasing military pressure against the Pakistanis, leaving the bulk of the fighting inside East Pakistan, for the present to the Indian‐supported Mukti Bahini, the “Liberation Forces” of “Bengla Desh” The Indians may hope that these tactics will enable the East Bengalis to win independence, or at least a satisfactory measure of autonomy that would allow the early return, of million refugees from India without precipitating a major Indian‐Pakistani conflict.

This is an unlikely prospect. Although Pakistan is heavily out‐manned and out‐gunned by the Indians, it is improbable that the military regime in Islamabad will relinquish its grip on the eastern region without forcing at least a token showdown with India. Pakistani counter attacks against India, probably in the west, are an imminent possibility unless there is swift intervention by the international community.

The White House is reported considering a request the Security Council to take up the dispute. Such action is urgently needed. It would represent a welcome shift in Administration policy that might yet help save the sub-continent from total war.