War powers.

THE ADMINISTRATION would prefer that Congress simply ratify its Gulf strategy and stay out of the way Congress would like a say in whether there will be a war, but has no desire to make a decision. The former deludes itself if it thinks that it can take the American people to war (not a five-day shootout a la Panama) without the approval of their representatives. The latter would like authority without responsibility-"the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages-and must resign themselves to accepting a measure of both.

Little has been heard of the War Powers Act during this crisis, and a good thing too. Passed in the wake of the Vietnam War, it imposes ludicrous restraints on the President, who must pull American forces out of harm's way unless he receives express permission from Congress within a couple of months. Congressmen and senators admit as much: but they remind us, and with justice, that the Constitution does accord them the right to declare war. It would be folly for the Administration to duck this matter. It will need courage and tact to figure out a way to secure congressional approval for a Persian Gulf war that we may actually initiate. Let's hope that the crisis calls forth statesmanship of a higher order than we have seen over the budget.