March 25, 1978

Pentagon, with Pres Carter's approval, proposes to slash by more than half Navy's plans for bldg new warships over next 5 yrs; proposal would dash Navy's hopes to enlarge fleet from current 462 to 600; Secs Brown and Claytor brief key Sens and Reprs on plan; Brown, in Jr, tells Cong that plan would yield growing naval force in '80s and would be adequate to cope with Soviet Navy, although assessment is challenged privately by several Navy officials; reductions noted; Carter's 5-yr plan and earlier 5-yr plan detailed (M)

Article examines financial status; money problems discussed; business adviser says he is 'single largest taxpayer in US'; illus; chart (M)

Begin returns to Israel following talks with Carter; seeks to justify his policies to increasingly restive coalition Govt and to growing public disaffection; defends his unwillingness to bend on positions that put him in conflict with Carter Adm, news conf; Weizman proposes that Begin head 'natl peace govt' that would include opposition Labor Party (M)

article describes desolation and fear in southern Lebanon in wake of Israeli attack; illus; map (M)

US Sup Ct bars Gov Thomson's plan (M)