Checkmating Nasser

OlNCE the blockage of the Suez Canal k iluring the fighting between Israel, Great Britain and France against Egypt last fall, the question of reducing to a minimum the danger of a transportation bottleneck has been receiving increased thought by the governments affected and the oil industry. The problem was discussed at a recent meeting of top representatives of eight in ternational oil companies in London, and consideration also was given to the matter by President Eisenhower and Prime Min ister Macmillan at their meeting in Ber muda. Proposals have been made to expand and improve the network Of pipelines in the Middle East with the aim of by-passing the Suez Canal entirely. Under considera tion, it is said, is the construction of a large pipeline fmnv near the head of the Persian Gulf through Iraq and Turkey to the Bay of I kemleruni on the Mediterranean. This line would completely fry-pass Syria, since the uncertain political situation in that country causes some doubt as to the advis abilLv of traversing that area at this time.