Evening star., 1945-10-17
Public Seen Insisting
Atom Secret Be Kept
Writer Questions Arguments
Relations Would Be Improved
By David Laurence

By Dapid Laurence
Perhaps the most curious phase Of
present-dsy suggestions as to policy in
respect to other nations is the insistent
demand coming from various quarters
that the United States should immedi-
ately give up the secret of the atomic
bomb to all nations irrespective Of
whether their diplomatic relations with
this country are satisfactory.
No fact stands out more prominently
than the lack of understanding between
the United States and Russia. Although
this relationship has been unsatisfactory
during the war and was equally unsat-
isfactory at Potsdam, yet the argument
Is being made that refusal to give UP
the atomic bomb is the real reason for
the estrangement.
just why SO great a number of Amer
fcan commentators should insist that
this weapon be Immediately given to
other countries is not clearly explained,
though 1t is being hinted that If the
atomic bomb secret is given to Russia
it would remove q lot of the latter's
distrust of us.
Contention of Science.
There is also the contention that
Russia will soon have the bomb secret
anyway. But it might we'll be asked
whether the American people would
ever approve a handing over of the
secret to any nation even if other ma
tions were sure to get it some other way.
The reason is that despite the varying
comments of the scientists, the atomic
bomb has actually not been manufac-
tured anywhere else but in this coun-'
try and there are grave doubts as to
whether any nation would be willing
in the present state of postwar finances
to begin to spend the huge sums needed
for the development of the discovery.
| The theory that Russia would imme-
diately abandon her nationalistic poll
cies and would grant freedom of the
| press and freedom Of speech as soon as
| the atomic bomb secret is divulged is
not likely to be accepted in view of the
| fact that Russia has thus far shown
herself anxious to pursue unilateral
course in world affairs and has resented
| the proposals of her allies that she
| open up her sphere of influence to other
| countries and make settlement Of the
| pending issues related to permanent
peace in Europe.
The final decision about the atomic
bomb is likely to be made by Congress.
| Public sentiment in America would
never approve the giving of any secret
weapon to any foreign country, even an
| ally, except possibly in the midst of
war and in secrecy as well. The atomic
bomb has become an open subject for
debate and policy making. The member
of Congress who votes to give the
atomic bomb to Russia, or any other
country for that matter, wilr find him.
self in an awkward dilemma.
Defense Is Chief Interest.
For the American people, while anx-
ious to enter Fundamentally into plans
for international cooperation, are in
terested primarily in their own defense
and security. Any proposal which could
conceiyably weaken that security for
one instant will hardly be sanctioned.
President Truman has proposed that
the use of the atomic bomb be outlawed.
1t Is significant that not single state
ment has since been issued by Russia
or any Of the other foreign governments
indicating that If they had the bomb
secret they would be willing to forbid
its use in war. 1t would appear that
those who are advocating that the
United States give up the secret should
first persuade the other governments of
the world which want it to proclaim
their purposes. When that is done, and
it ic apparent that nationalism among
our allies is truly on the decline and a
measure Of mutual trust and faith is
being built up, then the time will come
for consideration of what shall be done
with the atomic bomb
Meanwhile, it will only serve to in
tensify the fear of Russia's misuse Of
the bomb If those who advocate giving
away the secret continue to blame the
President and the American Government
and accuse both of starting a wave of
distrust in the world
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