Milford chronicle., 1947-02-07
The Atom
&c the Il. S.

THE United States Civilian
l. Atomic Energy Commission is
not going to divorce itself from
the military. Rather it will work
IN close harmony with military
advisers, fully realizing national
defense is its prime objective in the
present state of international affairs
That was the promise of David T.
Llllentha1 before Senate committee
hearing on his nomination as head Of
the atomic commission.
Lilienthal, former head of the Ten
neSsee Valley Authority, declared
present security methods were made
quate to protect atomic secrets ade-
quately.
He said publication Of the Smythe
report, Atomic Energy for Military
Purpose" was a serious breach Of
security 1t described four methods of
separating fashionable materials, all of
which, he said, were successful.
Urges New Safeguards
Lilienthal asserted the atomic secu-
rity programs inherited from the Man
haitian District would not work in the
future and recommended that new Sc
curity system be set up.
The Senate committee went into ex-
ecutive session to hear behind closed
doors his report on rumored leaks to
intelligence agents of foreign powers.
Llllenthal declared that any peace
ful development of atomic energy
carries the source of power 80 per-
cent toward its use as a weapon
Commenting on the report of the
Canadian Atomic Commission about
spy activity in the Dominion and its
probable extension into this country,
Lilienthal said: "That's one of the
things that doesn't make this job one
that induces slumber at night"
He said he and other members Of
the commission were fully aware Of
the terrific responsibilities placed on
them. One error of judgment can
mean missed opportunity for the
people of this country-or even worse,
he added.
Lilienthal was grillcd by Sen. Ken
meth McKellar (D-Tenn), who re-
ferred to him as 'the head Communist
OF my state" McKellar told the chair
man to his face: "You know nothing
about splitting the atom and should
have been greatly surprised when the
President named you as chairman Of
the atomic group"
"Tll say this" snapped LilienthaI
Il did my damndest to keep out of it,
but failed"
Presidential Responsibility
Meanwhile President Truman re-
vealed that he personally had made
the decision TO use the atomic bomb
against Japan. In letter to Dr Karl
I Compton, president Of Massachu-
settS Institute of Technology, COM
mentlng on scientific magazine ar
ticle which reported that the atom
bomb saved hundreds Of thousands
perhaps millions--of lives. both Japa
nese and American" and shortened
the war, Mr.. Truman wrote:
"The statement is fair analysis Of
the situation except that the final de
cision had to be made by the Presi-
dent and was made after complete
survey. The conclusions reached were
substantially those set out in (the)
article
"The Japanese were given fair
warning and were offered the terms
which they finally accepted we'll il,
advance of the dropping of the bomb.
| imagine the bomb caused them 10
accept the terms"
DR.. Compton said that converse
tlOns he had later with japanese sci
entlsts supported the contention that
the bulk of the Japanese believed
s they were winning the war until sur
l. render was actually announced.
= Henry l.. Stilnson. wartime secre,
o tary of State, revealed that this coun.
o try dropped its entire supply of two
e atomic bombs on Japan. There was M
other alternative, he said
II Nothing would have been more
l. damaging" said Stimson, ito our eff
Fl fort to obtain surrender than warn
l. ing or demonstration followed by
II dud-and this was . real possibility
Furthermore we had no bombs t
h waste"