Evening star., 1945-08-16

Letters to i ne Star
Readers Join in Warm Debate on
Atomic Bomb
To the Editor Of The Star:
We are beginning to hear from cer-
tain quarters and no doubt ~ time
goes on we shall hear from others.
condemning the use of atomic energy
In destructive weapon. But to decry
1t thus is illogical and ridiculous. God
gave man the intelligence to make the
discovery. He likewise has given him
the intelligence and moral sense to de-
wise ways to control it and to use 1t
for ultimate good. There is nothing.
not even religion itself, which cannot
be used for good or evil. for human
uplift or its destruction. Shall we stop
using knives because they kill? Knives
also are used by surgeons to cut away
cancerous growths. This is the use
America now makes Of atomic energy.
The thing for which Japan stands,
and but q few short months ago Ger
many and italy stood, is = cancerous
growth in the body Of human relations.
It must be destroyed or 1t will destroy
civilization. This fact needs no proof
or emphasis.
However, no force, not even that
within the atom, is more powerful than
that which lies locked within the hu-
man mind and heart. Therein lies the
answer. We need to have faith that
the fires through which humanity
lately has passed have done their
work. We need to have faith in hu.
mankind. ELISABETH Z. DOWDEN.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Now that we have appropriated
$4,000, 900 900 to create the atomic bomb,
1t would appear wise for US Immediately
to appropriate as much money as is
needed to develop . defense against it..
We cannot afford to become . Franken-
stein by creating such a destructive
weapon without developing some way to
protect ourselves from 1t.
Insofar as have been able to observe,
the present war has not eliminated
greed, covetousness, hatred and the
other influences that bring about war,
and as long as such influences exist,
there always Is the possibility of those
possessed by them discovering the for
mula for making atomic bombs and
turning them loose on us.
J. J. sPERRY.
To the Editor OF The Star:
The atomic bomb has been heralded
as the greatest invention Of the age.
But what Is 80 great about this mon
strous thing which can destroy over
night city f,lled with helpless civil
ians, including women and babies? 1t
actually imperils our so-called civiliza-
ton, already badly cracked.
To many. the atomic bomb seems
frightful symbol of mans inhumanity
to man and, while generally regarded
as necessary to end the mad conflict,
nevertheless reveals that ultimate glo-:
bal destruction looms as a distinct pos
sibility.
Mans devilish ingenuity in creating
destructive implements Of war may ter
inmate In chaos. War forcibly demon
strates that the commandment Thou
shalt not kill" cannot be violated for.
ever without incurring the most fright
ful consequences to one and all Of the
nations involved.
EDMUND X. GOLDSBORoUGH.
To the Editor Of The STAR:
I am shocked that your paper has not
denounced in strong terms the use of
the atomic bomb.
This bomb is the worst atrocity in
the history Of mankind. The honor of
America has been abased and the ira
dition Of decency built up over two CEN
turtles has been destroyed In one flash
OF utterly barbaric sadism.
How Hitler, in hell or In hiding, must
be rejoicing at the victory Of his ideas
over the decent instincts OF America!
He boasted that his ideas would win,
whether his state did or not. This seems
to haye happened. and the people of
America like 1t.
The japanese have committed many
atrocities in this war, even more terri.
BILE than our own. That does not justi.
fy the sort Of revenge We have taken.
EDWARD M. KNAPP.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Now that man, brutes and atoms fight,
the future had better teach us 4 saner
way to live, lest the earth's sole pur.
pose be to reflect but a gleam of light,
. moonbeam to serve some other saner
planet.
It seems to me that the vast posi-
bilities to benefit mankind latent in an
atom-those found now, only in urani-
um-make that rare element a SUBJ
stance entirely too precious to squander
by using it as . mad implement of
wrath. JACK SPRATT.
To the Editor OF The Star:
Chancellor Hutchins. suggesting a
demonstration Of the atomic bomb
prior to actual use, Identifies himself
with that minority who fancy an un.
derstanding Of Japanese psychology. It
is not enough that every act OF that
benishted race has disproven the theory
that they react az civilized beings, but
we must now be offended by DR..
Hutchins' comment on our conduct %