Evening star., 1946-03-23
Indefinite DeIay
In Atom Bomb
Tests Hinted
Reports Heard as
Senator Huffman
Urges Cancellation

SSS ~0iiSSiiOttOi
The possibility that the atomi,
bomb tests in the Pacific may b,
delayed indefinitely was raiset
today by two men closely linket
with preparations for the event
President Truman announced las
night that the tests had been post
poned about six weeks" becaus
"a large number of congressman
would not be able to witness tn
experiments if they were held a
scheduled.
In response to question at
news conference this morning, Pres
idential Press Secretary Charles G
Ross said he had no information OF
a specific new date for the tests
originally scheduled for May Is of
Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands
No Sudden Decision.
Mr.. Ross emphasized that Mr.
Truman's action was the result O.
no sudden decision" but the sec,
retary refused to go beyond tht
White House statement last nigh
ascribing the change in plans to &
heavy legislative" calendar which
would prevent members of Congress.
from attending the tests at the
originally scheduled time.
The two officials who suggested
the possibility of an indefinite de-
ay to the Associated Press talked
to a reporter about the same time
that Senator Huffman, Democrat
Of Ohio disclosed he intends to seek
Senate action canceling the tests
entirely.
Senator Huffman said in a state
ment at Columbus the postpone
ment should be made permanent
The two officials, who would not
allow the use of their names, said
they thought the six-week post
ponement would be extended indef-
nitely, or at least until former
World War II Allies have adjusted
their postwar differences.
Dangerous to Discuss Reasons.
One official said it would be
rather dangerous to discuss" the
real reasons at this time when
there is every indication that ar
improvement in the general picture
is in evidence"
Nothing should be allowed to dis
turb that trend at this time" he
added: The tests may we'll be de-
layed until everybody is pulling
together"
Agreeing with this view, the othe,
source said the first test of the
bombs, now tentatively set about
six weeks after the original date of
May IS, was doubtful, The re-
naming tests, he said, appear cer-
tain to be postponed.
Both commented that the six-week
postponement would carry the tests
close to the typhoon season.
In some quarters it was thought
that the international situation
might have prompted the shift in
arrangements, but Mr.. Ross refused
to comment on this phase today as
he had last night.
He did say, however, that there
was no connection between the
Presidents action and the an
Aouncement from Moscow yester-
cay that Prime Minister Stain had
affirmed his confidence in the Unit
ID Nations Organization as a "se-
ious instrument for preserving
laace.
Mr.. Ross said a statement an
louncing postponement of the BIZ
ini tests had been planned for to-
lay, but that some one in the
Navy Department or elsewhere saw
fit to put it out last night" and
hat, consequently, the White House
had stepped up it's announcement
Mr.. Ross had reference to reports
widely circulated from official
sources early last evening that the
delay was imminent.
Announcement of the postpone
ment virtually on the eve of the
United Nations Security Council
SESSIONS in New York aroused
much conjecture, in view of Prime
Minister Stalin's public avowal OF
confidence in UNO's future world
-ole and his statement he believed
10 nation was seeking war.
Task Force Already in Motion.
PerpleXing features N the pic
ture were that the atom bomb test
task force already had been put
in motion and that both the UNO
meeting and continued congress
sional sessions have neen fairly
definite for some time.
Capitol Hill had not previously
noted any widespread clamor in
this election year for legislators. to
witness the experiment. But Mr.
Truman said "a large number have
expressed desire to see both tests
Initial reaction was that the
Presidents unexpected decision was
related in some degree to the
uneasy recent state of international
affairs, the congressional contro-
versy over the military's role in
future atomic development, and also
the administrations difficulties ir
mastering sufficient votes in the
House and Senate for its program
Senator johnson, Democrat, OF
Colorado, member of both the SEN
ate Military Affairs Committee and
the Senate Atomic Energy Com
mittee. told reporters he had nc
advance knowledge of the decision
Personnel of $4,000 Mustered.
The joint Army-Navy task force
had proceeded with plans to start
the tests off with the first bomb
drop on May 15-until the White
House told Vice Admiral w. H. P
Blandy to wait until July 1. Task
force personnel already were as
sembling at Bikini and ships stood
by at Pearl Harbor, making ready
to proceed to the target area. A
force of about $4,000 Army and Navy
personnel and civilian scientists al
ready is mustered for the tests.
While Mr.. Truman's terse state
ment went into no details, it was
assumed his comment about the
legislative situation referred to cur
rent controversies in Congress such
as the argument over bills on atomic
energy control, housing, labor. and
wages. The Democratic leadership
has only narrow working majority