Evening star., 1947-01-02
A-Bomb Dispute FoiIs
To Deceive Senate
Would Protect u. S. Interests
Against Unwise Compromise
By Dapid LatCrence

Would Protect u. 5. Interests
Against Unwise Compromise
By Dapid Laurence.
Most amazing of recent developments
is the deliberate attempt of group OF
Americans to give to Russia the secret
of the atomic bomb without adequate
protection against misuse of the weapon
in attacks on the people of the United
States. Sometimes the attempt is In
sidious, and sometimes 1t comes out
into the open. But 1t does not deceive
the Senate.
Because Bernard M. Baruch, Aneri-
can representative in the discussions OF
the atomic bomb control at the U. N,
stands firm for the safety Of the Amer
ican people, he is being called "arbi-
trary" and stubborn" by those ele-
ments in this country which think the
atomic bomb issue is one that permits
of compromise or appeasement.
When Mr.. Baruch says that there can
be no right Of veto by any nation where
punishment for misuse Of the bomb is
involved and that no treaty will be
ratified by the United States Senate
unless it contains such provision, MIR.
Gromyko, the Russian representative.
calls such statements. Eight
Doesn't Know Senate.
Mr. Gromyko doesn't know the Senate.
He doesn't know how nationalistic it can
become on provocation. He doesn't
know that in America any members Of
the Senate who accepted the Russian
proposals and thereupon voted to sur
render the atomic bomb would be vetoed
at the polls.
I The choice is between no system OF
control or a system that permits OF
constant international inspection. Any
system of inspection by international
authority must be supreme, SO that no
one nation can set itself up as judge
of its own acts.
If Mr. Gromyko thinks he has been
engaged in lively debate about control
of the atomic bomb, he has surprise
in store for him when he watches the
debate that will ensue If any American
representative ventures to sign treaty
that does not provide adequate safe
guards. Ratification requires a two
thirds vote of the Senate and treaty
has to be explicit and clear and in the
interests of the United States beyond
peradventure of doubt before 1t has
chance for adoption.
COMPROMISE Not Binding.
Even If Mr.. Baruch compromised on
the issue-which is unthinkable-it
would not bind the Senate. It is be-
cause Mr.. Baruch is a good American
who knows his own system of Govern
ment, that he is trying to get the treaty
worded in such a way that 1t will COM
mand Senate acceptance. If Mr.. Baruch
| is compelled to compromise" the Senate
| will take that as signal for opposition
If he is satisfied with the treaty and
there is no doubt about his enthusiasm
the treaty then has basic chance to be
ratified. For, to a remarkable degree
Mr.. Baruch has the confidence of both
Republicans and Democrats in the Sem
ate and it will take sizable vote any
how from both sides of the political
aisle to obtain ratification.
I Russia desperately wants the atomic
bomb. Eventually she will sign any
treaty the United States insists on. But
| it is natural for the Russian represent
atives to try to whittle down the restric-
tions Of such treaty in advance,
knowing that there exists in the United
States not only proc Communist bloc
but certain non- Communist but mis-
| guided liberals whose major premise
on nearly every foreign policy question
is that their President and Secretary OF
State couldn't possibly be right. Presi-
| dent Truman and Secretary Byrnes are
both backing Mr.. Baruch 100 per cent.
Basis for Suspicion.
Where control of the atomic bomb h
concerned-partieularly with totalita-
rian government which denies freedom
of speech and of the press and freedom
of worship and persecutes those citizens
who seek individual lberty-suspicion Is
natural. This suspicion arises especially
out of the long series of broken pledge!
which have come from Russian spokes.
men. This suspicion has not been al
layed by the contradiction in the state.
ments made by Premier Stain in thI
first instance that he would agree II
international inspection and the re
pudiation now of that pledge by Mr.
Gromyko in refusing to agree to .
really international control of the use
of the bomb.
What Mr.. Gromyko probably doesn't
realize is that, ironically enough, vast
number of Americans are perhaps
| grateful to him for his obstruction, be-
cause 1t postpones settlement of the
issue to later day, when possibly the
Russian people will be in control Of
their own government and when there
will not be the slightest hesitation to
give up the atomic secret to. a free
Russia.
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