Evening star., 1948-06-02
Planning Against Atomic Attack

Planning Against Atomic Attack
To the Editor of The Star:
Reason tells us that Washington, D. c. will
be primary target Of atomic aggression. Yet
we seem to have no plan for civilian survival.
One wonders why when we recall the universal
brief1ng against disaster in the recent war.
Surely the threat of atomic aggression demands
as much vigilance as lesser evil which passed
us by The omission is ominous. We must con-
clude that this catastrophe horror either Is
discounted, ignored or deemed beyond remedy.
If the probability of atomic aggression is re-
garded as too remote to require civilian sur
vival plan then our leadership has been both
hysterical and intellectually dishonest. Threat
Of atomic holocaust has inspired every des-
perate plea and demand for adequate defense
and preparedness. 1t is ridiculous to make all
out plans for defense and retaliation and ignore
the primary problem Of civilian survival
Lack of plan more likely is part Of stupid
conspiracy of silence. Our leadership holds the
truth too terrible to face. So it is hushed lest
panic and terror completely paralyze us. But
far more likely knowing the truth will goad
our desperation to leave no avenue OF escape
or prevention unexplored Our only hope is to
know the whole truth and to act upon it with
out fear or favor. Rather than suppress it,
the terrible truth should be used to overwhelm
our suicidal indifference.
This means drumming home the terrible
truth Is the first step in any plan for civilian
survival. That truth Is ugly and cruel beyond
words. When atomic holocaust strikes there is
neither safety nor solace In flight, which would
serve only to scatter death and disaster.
The second prerequisite Of any plan for
civilian survival is heroic obedience to the
cruel compulsions Of survival discipline. Not
every man for himself, but every man for his
country. The victims must remain In their
contaminated region. Supreme authority must
seal the doomed area until national security is
not endangered by opening 1t. Radioactive
transport cannot leave Until 1t is safe to send
help from outside, the stricken populations
must minister to their own misery.
Such necessity for self-help provides the
third element Of civilian survival plan. This
is all-out organization and preparation of
regional resources for regional need. Unless
we provide dependable sanctuaries for mass
disaster relief there will be little cooperation
with the compulsions Of survival discipline.
A doomed people are less likely to yield to
terror and panic If intelligent foresight gives
attempted flight no advantage.
Our chances of survival are better with .
plan than without one. If we prepare and
condition our people with the truth, they will
accept the heroic demands Of survival discipline
and sacrifice A contrary policy belittles our
tradition OF courage, patriotism and moral
stamina. Once we see mass discipline and
sacrifice as prerequisite OF survival we may
be persuaded to use it to avoid doom.
This consummate evil is man-made There
fore mankinds will to live can stay its evil
doom. Our wills must be goaded by truth.
Only the truth can save us and make us free
THOMAS E. MATTTNGLY, M. D.
Political Concessions to the Jews
To the Editor Of The Star:
I am afraid this current trend of interna-
tional politics Is soaring over my head We are
told to be fairminded and not discriminate
against the Jewish race on the ground that it
Is anti-Semitic to do so. yet to what purpose
are We being pushed, cajoled and persuaded to
discriminate against the Arab League? 1t OBJ
viously is biased to support a checker board
partition Of Palestine.
If the conduct of our foreign policy is merely
political expedient to obtain q minority
groups votes, feel must place my vote on
another man than Mr.. Truman, for 1t is surely
weakness, indeed, to sell our Nations policies
for votes.
II recognition of Israel is prompted to counter
Communist Front, which seems plausible, then
the press fails in not speaking out boldly on the
matter
And the press likewise Is at fault II 1t fails
to speculate on Russia trying to maneuver US
against the Jewish world 30 that 1t might
champion them and have an excuse to invade
Iran and the oil fields
It is contrary to American policy not to be
fairminded even in disputes OF this nature and
see no acceptable reason to take sides. But, II
sides are to be taken based on the facts as we
know them, feel that we would lean toward
the Arab point of view as result Of the gang
ster-like conduct OF Jewish factions during the
British occupation. II Jewish partisans have
proved that they are aggressive, as think they |
have, it is easy to understand that the Arabs
fear Of settlement is justified and the future |
would only result in expanding demands once
the nation Of Israel obtains a foothold.
From the press I gather that the United |
States overwhelmingly is on the side OF Israel. |
We have indeed lost the war II We have not |
made Europe . safe place for the Jewish race |
and If we are to concede that the jews must |
be evicted from Europe. POLL TAXES PAID. :