The Ypsilanti daily press., 1946-02-07

Atomic Bomb May
Not be Destructive
in Sea Explosion

The "battleship' boys are sep
ing mum on the forthcoming rests
OF the atomic bomb against seapow'
er. but privately they contend II
won't cause near the damage that
some expect.
Even II there is severe damage TO
the feet OF s0-odd warships and
other vessels TO be anchored in the
Marshalls, old.line Navy men are
expected 10 argue that the tests
cannot be conclusive unless tried
against modern ships under war
time conditions.
Several battleships we're sunk on
both sides by air power in the war,
but after each sinking the propon-
ents OF sea power tried to rational
ize the results.
Battleship supporters claimed
Pearl Harbor wasn't fair test be-
cause we were not prepared to fight
back on that occasion. When Am
erican planes began TO sink Jap
battleships, the answer was that
Nippon failed TO provide adequate
air cover.
Thus .he coming atomic tests may
merely supply more fuel for an old.
old argument.
Look Cor a minority report by
anti-New Deal committee members
when the Pearl Harbor investigat-
ing group sums UP the results OF
its inquiry.
There appears little likelihood
tha. Administration committeeman
and opponents Of the Roosevelt
Truman policies will get together
and agree on a single report. There
has been too much committee fric'
tion.
Even Senator George (D) OF
Georgia may sign minority re-
port.
Administration men claim that
the inquiry will point blame for sue
cess OF the sneak Japanese attack
pretty much where the Army and
Navy boards placed it-with posi-
bly, a complete vindication OF for
mer Secretary OF State Hull and
less criticism OF Gen. George c.
Marshall.
The minority findings, however,
probably will soften the blame at
tached TO Adm. Husband E. Kimmel
and Maj. Gen. Walter c. Short.
Pearl Harbor commanders, Anti
administration forces feel they were
"scapegoats" in earlier probes.
The Agriculture Department Is
worrying these days about q sur
plus OF eggs. Prices OF that sood
item already have dropped below
government support levels in South
Dakota and may drop soon in other
states.
Retail egg prices should be head
ing down-grade before long, depart
ment officials say.
The literary output OF Joseph
Stain is likely to receive the great
est attention in future years when
historians ponder the writings OF
statesmen.
Few Americans realize how pro
life a writer he is. but in Moscow
a complete edition OF his works,
from the earliest issues OF .he ille-
gal underground press Of the Boil
shevih TO his proclamations on
World War II, is being published.
They trace the Communist move
ment from 1901 and will fill Is vol
umes. They will be run Of: IN edi.
tions Of soc, 900 each. Plans for Eng
lish translations have not yet been
made.
A bitter behind-:heScenes battle
Is shaping up between the military
services and the scientists over fu-
ture control OF atomic energy.
Some 1900 scientists who had a.
hand in the invention and produc-
ton OF the atom bomb have com
bined forces to urge Congress to
exclude the Army from controlling
policies in this matter.
AS Washington views lobbyists,
the scientists are regarded as small
peanuts. They are hammering away,
however, on the awful fate in store
for the world II atomic energy is not
controlled. This may prove a power.
full argument with Congress.
War use OF atomic energy Is the
last thing the scientists want, and
consequently they are vigorously
opposing any Army representation
in its future control.