THOUGHTS FROM PALM BEACH

THE Washington Post reported its insight into President Kennedy's thinking came "on the highest authority." The Baltimore Sun cited Kennedy "friends." The Philadelphia Bulletin listed "those who should know," "those who know the President best," "closest associates," "those in whom he has confidence," and "intimates." But the New York Times's Elder Pun dit Arthur Krock, who has not recently been in Palm Beach, felt free to insist that it was the President him self who had been doing the talking. At any rate, the President's thinking ranged over a variety of subjects, from tax prospects to reflections on Cuba.

On U.S. Prestige: Kennedy, who made the U.S. place in world opinion an issue of his 1960 campaign, now realizes that national policies cause international frictions, that it is difficult to be popular while exercising leadership. He does not expect the U.S. to be loved while pursuing its aims.

On the Western Alliance: The great problem in 1963 is whether the alliance will begin to fragment into national nuclear deterrents that are costly and will, he fears, cause political and strategic imbalances.

On U.S.-Russian Relations: In theory, as the Soviet Union raises its standard of living and becomes more of a "have" nation, there should be a lessening in its hard-line foreign policies. But the President sees no evidence that that is actually taking place.

On the Balance of Power: The Pres ident believes that Communist mo mentum, which picked up after Sputnik 1, has slackened. The balance of power is with the free world, but there remain many problems. The rich nations get richer and the poor nations get poorer, and Kennedy finds incomprehensible the attacks on U.S. foreign aid programs aimed at helping underdeveloped nations.

On U.S. Business: The President feels that his Administration's relations with business are more satisfactory than six months ago--partly because business is more prosperous than it was then. But he foresees a period of deepening labor-management difficulties brought on by disputes over automation and other technological changes.

On the 1962 Elections: Kennedy recently read a Gallup poll saying that the Cuba crisis changed few votes in the recent elections. The President, for one, does not agree; he thinks it saved a lot of votes for the Democrats.

On 1964: The President thinks the chances are reasonably good that he . will run for reelection.

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