The Wilmington morning star., 1946-04-03
Choice Up To People

WASHINGTON.-Well which is it to be: a
war of unter-charging atomic rockets col
liding in the shakespeare, with every now
and then one getting through" to blast a
defenseless city to ruin? Or, a world-power-
full atomic development authority owning and
operating this planets uranium mines and
factories and licensing out material in harm
less amounts?
That is something of the choice laid before
JUS by the State Department special commit.
tees able recommendations for international
control of atomic energy.
1t is absolutely essential that the State D =
partment proposal and alternative plans be
read, studied, debated, pondered IF we are
to do anything constructive in relation to
atomic energy" says the State Department
report, sit must inevitably be novel and i'm
mensely difficult" The more knowledge man
has, the more constructive his thinking is
likely to be. Right now, the need for more
knowledge is illustrated by the fact that a
majority of American citizens, according to
various poll-takers, think the United States
should keep the secret of the atomic bomb
Establishment is unplea SAINT but one may
as well begin right here with three facts, at
tested to by the sanest nuclear scientists and
forming the basis for the Acheson report
which show that hugging the secret isn't good
enough: % Other nations will be able to
duplicate the atomic bomb within 5 to 20
years. CD There is no weapon defense-some
bombs are bound to get through the best
electronlc-rad ar-rocket screen. 3) Because of
the requirement that Congress declare war
and the general mentality of America, this
country could never strike the frst-and de-
cisive-blow in an atomic war.
Therefore, O. E. D., stock piling the bombs
won't assure American safety. What then can
we try? Fortunately, in the stage of month,
two alternatives have appeared:
(A) This Acheson report which would set
up through UNO, an atomic development au-
thority to mine uranium and thorium, oper-
ate the "dangerous' primary factories and
license out to nations and corporations de
natured'' or safely small amounts of fission-
able materials for general experimentation
and research, while policing against any prl-
vate nation mining or manufacturing.
(B) The Rollins College World Government
Conference proposal that federal world gov
eminent be established by transforming the
United Nations Assembly into world legls-
lature elected by the earth's peoples, rather
than by States. through an equitably weight
ed ballot This legislature would have full
powers to control atomic energy, including
policing and inspection functions.
Both are constructive plans. One must con-
slider, however, which is the more likely OF
attainment Would it be more feasible TO Try
to build among individuals everywhere the
new ALLEGIANCE to a World State necessary
for the proper support Of a world Legislature!
Or would It be easier for nations to delegate
portion of their sovereignty to this atomic
DEVELOPMENT authority sufficient to make 1t
powerful systematically In this one, crucial
atomic field?
When the State Department proposals come
up for discussion, the question Immediately
is asked: But what If Russia won't JOIN!
The answer may be, that it will be exceed
ingly attractive for Russia, and for all Powers
to Join. Picture the situation that would en-
sue if Russia or any other nation refused 10
cooperate: Here would be commission
representing all the nations of the world, ex-
cept the renegade Power, collaborating and
pooling knowledge in perfecting new peace
time uses of atomic energy, and simultaneous
Nv adding to their knowledge OF atomic ex-
plosives Here would be all the nations aware
that their only source of attack would be this
unco-operative renegade Power.
It would be most likely that the nations,
for their own protection, would empower their
atomic development authority to establish, at
strategic attack points throughout the Worl.,
atomic weapons pointed at the renegade ma
ton 1t would be that nation against the whole
world! That nation would hardly start some
thing"
The very logic of the Acheson committee
proposals may win over many doubtful ma
tons as well as persons. And there is one
additional boon, if the plan succeeds, which
the report states this way: cit che plano
can establish patterns of cooperation among
nations, the extension Of which may even con-
tribute to the solution of the problem OF war
itself. "-Christian Science Monitor.