Evening star., 1946-06-06

her national energy to atomic
sibilitieS, she says, not toward
However, with other natiol
secrets and showing no inclina
extremely unrealistic, to say the
closing her eyes to that side of t
It is, of course, impossible fo
with the limited amount of info
highly secret subject, to say a
Russians and the bomb. How
ever, there is reason to believe
and l emphasize the word be-
lieve,-that Russia must be well
behind the United States. There
are those in responsible diplomatic
and military positions who hold
the same opinion.
MolotOv Promised Atom.
But, it should be borne in mind
that Foreign Minister Molotov,
speaking at the Kremlin last No
vember 6, said Russia soon would
have atomic energy and many other
things. One never should under
estimate the Russians.
Heavy emphasis is being placed on
science in Russia-heavier than on
any other single field. Always re-
spected in Russia, scientists now
have been raised several stations
beyond any position they've ever en-
joyed. They're on a level with the
top brackets.
The government is hard at work
building them new laboratories,
finding the equipment they want
giving them the green light they
need. In fact, whatever scientists
want they can have for the asking,
which is quite little something in
that land
Good. Core of Scientists.
Russia has hard core of SCENT
lists to build from, although they
are mostly beyond middle age
When I left Moscow less than a
month ago, an energetic campaign
was underway to attract younger
people to science.
The Russians also have acknowl-
edged that their scientists are en-
titled to the best possible material
life. They have been awarded spe-
cial food rations, clothes, automo-
biles, special salaries, new apart
ments and fine automobiles-many
with chauffeurs.
In many parts of the country, new
housing is being earmarked for men
of science. They will get these
modern dwellings as soon as any
one, and this includes marshals,
generals and high party function
aries.
Many acres of beautiful woodlands
are being set aside as "datchas' for
scientists. CA datch is summer
home, an institution dearly beloved
by every Russian) Some of these
include onetime Fairgrounds of the
cZars.
These datchas are not just some
thing quaint knocked together on
the side of a lake or mountain
They're sumptuous. They have
electric lighting, heating and mod
ern sanitation. They have tennis
courts, volley ball courts and many
will be inclosed by high rustic fences
Some upon request are being sup
piled with sailboats or motorboats
Spacious quarters for servants are
being built apart from the main
houses.
Have No Illusions of Speed.
Russias leaders have no illusions
about how far her scientists must
progress to catch up With the United
States and Britain They are we'll
aware and impressed with the tx
cellence and skill of Americans.
I'm quite sure they are not kidding
themselves into thinking they can
catch up quickly with the United
States in the atomic field, any more
than they can draw abreast quickly
in making automobiles or refriger-
ators.
The leaders and the scientists
know they must work hard and
even then they may lag behind
this side of the world. They may
have obtained something from Ger
many, but they are realists enough
to know that if .llev found some
thing there, so did their lilies.
The very fact that the Russians
don't say much about the bomb is
revealing. It is the belief OF many
Informed foreigners stationed in
the Soviet Union that, while the
Russians haven't asked for the
secret of the bomb, it constitutes a
great and ponderous factor in all
their thinking and action. The Use
of such phrases as atomic dip om-
acy'' in referring to moves of her
Allies is significant.
With America holding the bomb
secret, and Britain ard Canada in
on it in some way tSomething the
Russians never have fully under
stood it becomes alarming to the
Soviets and their people to see the
United States not only talking about
but doing something about Atlantic
and Pacific bases.
It is very we'll for Americans to
say well never use the bomb for
aggressive purposes" but just try to
convince the man who hasn't got
the bomb of that.
Tomorrow: How the United
States and Russia differ ON the
function and duty of free press.)
D. c. Man to Prosecute