Evening star., 1947-01-06
Senote Seen Opposed
To Atom Compromise

To Atom Compromise
Public Would Not Support Plan
To Yield to Russia on Bomb
By David Laurence
Unless Russia gives up all claim to
q veto over possible violations OF the
atomic control regulations proposed to
be set up by an international agree
ment. there viii be no treaty ratified
by the United States Senate.
Bernard M. Baruch's action IN retir-
ing from the American commission
has been enormously interpreted as
opening the way to compromise" by
some face-saving formula Of words.
II President Truman should agree
to such device. he. would never be
renominated and the Democratic Party
might as well give up all hope Of win
ming either Congress or the Presidency
in -1948.
This is because the atomic bomb issue
is the easiest kind Of q problem for
the masses of voters to understand
The questions which will be asked by
the average voter are simple:
Does America give away the atom
bomb secret?
Does Russia get it?
Can Russia use IL suddenly or win
there be measures of prevention which
viii effectively keep any nation from
using the bomb?
II these measures could mean 50
much as one days delay while the red
tape of the Security Councils powers
of debate were invoked by q violator.
the American people would never permit
the Senate. to ratify such treaty.
1t can be said now that any treaty
with a compromise" will not gain Q
handful OF votes in the Senate; and the
five or six Senators who cast such bal
lots will not stay in the Senate, be-
cause the voters will oust them at the
next election.
Arguments for Compromise.
The arguments for q compromise" are
ingenious. 1t is being pointed out that
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fective international inspection and that
the Russians have agreed in principle
to day-by-day inspection; It has been
contended also that If Russia, for in
stance, wished to violate the atomic con-
troll treaty or evade the inspection, there
would be war anyway and resort to the
Security Council of the United Nations
would be superhlous.
But such reasoning ignores the fact
that in democracies especially, the ten
dency is to delay and debate measures
Of national defense, and If the Russians
should ask that the matter Of alleged
violation be submitted to the Security
Council Of the United Nations. certain
American liberal" minorities friendly to
Communism would insist on such con-
sideration and delay.
The opportunity for strategic delay
| while America runs the risk of another
Pearl Harbor will be in the minds OF the
members OF the Senate as they weigh
| the provisions set up for instantaneous
action in the event that there is the
slightest evidence of intent to violate
the atomic control provisions It Is the
power to act instantly, without reference
| to the Security Council or It's veto, that
will furnish the acid test of effectiveness
of the control plan which the Senate
will be called upon to ratify or reject.
Mr.. Baruch,s advice that America
keep on making bombs and keep the
secret until a treaty of control Is ratified
by all countries will be needed by the
Senate. He can retire now because the
record has been made plain enough for
the Senate to read. Mr.. Baruch need
have no further cause for concern.
Senate Won't Back Compromise.
If Senator Austin, on instructions
from the President, accedes to "com-
promise" which leaves in doubt the
right to punish instantly or prevent q
nation from misuse of the atomic bomb
without waiting for the matter to 60
before the Security Council, such a
treaty. signed by the executive. will not
get by the Senate. Nor will the Senate
agree to any disarmament plan which
permits nation to be the judge Of its
own action as to what constitutes O
violation of the plan.
1t is to be expected. moreover, that
the United States will insist on the
right to take action independently Of
the Security Council, either alone or in
concert with friendly powers. II the
forthcoming atomic control treaty 10
violated. The theory that when viola
ton occurs the matter would go to the
| Security Council which would he called
! on to furnish the military forces to
| punish an offending nation, died the day
| the atomic bomb was dropped over
Hiroshima.
When any country gets ready to use
the atomic bomb, undeclared war be-
| gins and there will be no time to ask
the Security Council, with its cumber-
some veto procedure, to formulate .
| defense.
Unless Russia therefore agrees to
abandonment of a Security Council veto
on atomic bomb control, there will be
no giving up Of the secret by the United
States. The Russian spokesmen are
right when they say that the charter
of the u. N. did not contemplate the
present contingency and that amend
ment of the charter is needed II the
veto is to be given up. Until the charter
is amended to that effect, however. ana
totalitarianism is abolished SO that free
governments prevail everywhere In the
world, there will be no security either
with or without the veto.
That Is the real issue.