February 20, 1989

LEAD: THERE are 23 of them in camp, and if you laid them end to end it is possible they would stretch halfway to Cypress Creek Road, just north of the ball park. Some of them have been through the rigors of spring before; some are simply new to the whole thing, their names unfamiliar to the fans who come here early every morning to see the

LEAD: INTERNATIONAL REPORT A new effort has begun to resolve U.S.-European differences on farm policy. A proposal by Trade Representative Carla A. Hills has raised hopes of progress in the GATT talks with the European Community. The U.S. has previously insisted on the elimination of all farm subsidies.

LEAD: What an ugly afternoon, right from the pre-game shoving and insults - a ritual used by the Flyers to let opponents know that domination is the name of the game played here - to the fencing match between the Islanders' Randy Wood and the Flyers' Ron Sutter at the game's end.

LEAD: For Muslims and Arab in the United States, the uproar over ''The Satanic Verses'' has caused embarrassment and indignation. Page A6.

LEAD: At a time when pieces of fine art are being sold for breathtaking prices, a unit of the Chase Manhattan Bank is seeking to raise $300 million from large pension funds to invest in paintings and other works.