Evening star., 1945-08-20
Letters to The Star
Readers Continue the Debate
On Atomic Bomb
TO the Editor of The Star.

sAAS DoSAAAAS 0ShANt We AA0SC nCCA Gull.
stantly bombarded with opinions OF
people on all phases Of its development.
Most OF the remarks can be taken
calmly, but one group, the scientists,
have come up repeatedly with that old
saw: "It is a tribute to the effort Of
pure science, which concerns itself only
with the search for truth and knowl-
edge" In other words, I'VE will pro-
vide the answers. What others decide
to do with them is no responsibility of
ours" That of course, is lot Of bunk.
These people are not above us or apart
from us, but are just as much part of
our society as the fellow that drops the
bomb.
do not say that the bomb was a
good thing or bad one. That is
matter for far in the future historians.
But do take exception to the attitude
OF research men exacting tribute wheth-
er 1t is good or bad and passing the
buck by shifting responsibility to the
rest of us in case it does turn out badly.
This attitude is not only applicable to
atomic bombs, but also to poison gas
and the thousands of other destructive
devices made possible by scientific re-
search. GEORGE r. KEEHN.
To the Editor of The STAR
The atomic bomb and its effects were
predicted as long ago as the year 1902
by famous church counsellor in her
writings, entitled Testimonies for the
Church." published by the Pacific Press
Publishing Association of Mountain
View, Calf.
In searching for the statement which
this writer employed, we find startling
ly similar description Of the atomic
bombing made by scientists and bomber
crews. The prediction is the following:
In the visions Of the night very i'm
pressive scene passed before me. I saw
an immense ball of fire fall among some
beautiful mansions, causing their in
slant destruction = ."
A further prediction has been discoy-
cred among some unpublished letters of
the same writer, whose death occurred
In 1915. The custodians of her works
and private files have released the fol-
lowing description, found in letter 278
year 1906: Just before awoke a very
impressive scene was presented before
me. I seemed to awake from Sleep but
was not in my home. From the windows
I could behold a terrible confederation.
Great balls of fire were falling upon
houses, and from these balls fiery ar
rows were flying in every direction. 1t
was impossible to check the fires that
were kindled, and many places were be-
ing destroyed. The terror Of the people
was indescribable. After time awoke
and found myself at home"
C. A. RENTFRo.
To the Editor of The Star:
am not in the habit of writing letters
OF this type, but the sentiments expressed
by some of the people in your Letters to
the Editor" column deploring the use of
the atomic bomb as ''uncivilized," "abas-
ing our national HONOR ETC.. ad nau-
scum, leave me wondering
Don't these people know what modern
war is; don't they know that the famous
saying War is hell" is an understate-
ment? Have they ever seen the wounded
come back from the beaches, have they
seen their dearest friends die in the
water, have they seen the despair on the
faces OF those who have lost everything,
have they forgotten the treachery, de-
ceit and bestiaIty of the Japs at Bataan,
In China and every other place where
they have conquered?
Have they ever had lunch with
fellow and an hour later seen him dead
on the deck2
1t is all very we'll to sit back here and
express high-minded sentiments in a
detached way, but I think they soon
would change their tune if they actually
had experienced this war as thousands
Of us who have just returned have for
four long years.
I think that I would not be wrong in
stating that, though we all agree that
the atomic bomb is awesome and hor-
rlble, those of us who fought this war
only wish that we could have had it
sooner
1T. ROBERT ]. FOLEY, s.NR,
To the Editor of The Star:
Lest we forget our scientific develop
ments of the past few years in the at
tempt to discover the earths relation to
the planet Mars, its habitation, if any,
and its geographic value, should like
to advance the theory that the atomic
bomb in its constructive phase is the
means to the fulfillment of mans DESTINY
IN this respect. Also, by comparison
aviation almost fades out while vet in
its infancy
Although growing out of the war (the
key to the situation) this bomb is not
the end of everything, so far as the
world is concerned as some might think
On the contrary it holds the promise
far in the future, of another door open
to civilization in the field OF scientific
development.
However, the planet Mars being the
ultimate goal at present, work in this
direction for the next so years perhaps
should alay all fears of destruction
which this uranium atom portends.
There should be no doubt in the minds
OF men that 1t was placed in the hands
OF Americans by an act of Providence.
Naturally, the foregoing facts being
true, If this is the expression of mind
over matter, as has been said, all danger
OF destruction to the universe is dis
PEELED.
Incidentally, this is the solution to the
problem of unemployment during the
intervening period of time. The con-
nection is obvious, and America is wise.
LILLIAN ODOUGHERTY.