Evening star., 1949-07-29
U. 5. Arranging Talks
With Britain, Canada
On Sharing Atom Data
BY the Asseeiotsd Press

BY the Assoeiotsd Press
A series of exploratory" talks
is being arranged to attack the
controversial problem of what
atomic information the United
States should share with Britain
and Canada.
President Truman announced
yesterday that the discussions
would be aimed at setting up long
range cooperation among the
three World War II atomic part
ners in q couple of highly i'm
portant fields:
The exchange of scientific and
technical information.
The supplying of raw materials.
The Presidents statement, de-
1ivered to his weekly news con-
ference, noted that atomic ar
rangements made in January,
1948, with Britain and Canada
are limited in scope and dura-
ton" Now, he said. it is "neces-
sary to consider the future" ;"
Uranium Pact Expires Soon.
One agreement, involving the
sharing OF the Belgian Congo's
uranium supply. repeatedly will
expire within the next few
months. The United States now
is largely dependent on the Congo
and Canada for its supplies of
uranium - the material that
makes the A-bomb work.
Mr.. Truman's statement was
his first public utterance on
atomic energy since the secret
Blair House conference July H.
at which the issue of sharing in
formation first was discussed by
top State. military, congressional
and atomic leaders.
It was at that conference that
the question of the President act
ing on his own was raised-re-
sulting in a storm of congressional
opposition.
Reassures Congress.
The President yesterday reas-
sured the lawmakers that this
Nation will take no step toward
sharing atomic secrets without
congressional consent.
II wish to emphasize that these
exploratory conversations do not
involve making agreements with,
or commitments to, the British
and Canadians on these ques-
tions." Mr.. Truman said.
They involve having talks with
the BsiMh and Canadians prior
to ful r consultation with the
Congfss. In these consultations
with the Congress we shall have
to decide together what course of
action it is wisest to take"
The President earlier had sent
much the same assurance to Con-
gress through Secretary of State
Acheson, after lawmakers had in
sisted that the atomic energy law
bars any one from giYing. -aYay;
seerets to any country, however
friendly. without legislative ap-
proval.
Asked About "Gloomy" Meeting.
Reporters asked Mr.. Truman
why the atmosphere around the
presidential residence was $50
gloomy" the night of the closely
TYasded meeting Of top officials. :
: Mf-..Truman replied that It's a
gloomy subject. He repeated the
words. He said an atomic explo-
sion is something we all dread.
"I never want to have to use it
again." he added referring to his
decision to drop the bomb on
Japan. He gave reporters permis-
sion to quote these words.
A Foreign Office official in Lon
don said the British will be ready
to take part in the exploratory dis
cussions. At Ottawa. spokesman
said Canada also will be prepared
for such talks.
Senator McMahon, Democrat,
of Connecticut, chairman of the
Senate-House Atomic Energy
Committee, said he was glad Mr..
Truman had Clarified the situa-
ton" The forthcoming discus
sions. he said. "are of very great
Importance to the orderly de-
velopment of atomic energy"
Had Access to Bombs.
In his news conference state
ment, Mr.. Truman pointed out
that Canada and Britain had
wide access to the American
atomic bombs developed during
the war and that both now are
engaged in atomic enterprises of
their own.
Britain, which recently an
nounced her intention of produc-
ing bombs, has been reported
highly resentful of the fact that
the 1916 atomic eAergy law
closed the door to all but few
fields OF atomic cooperation.
Secrecy surrounds the current
understanding between the United
States, Britain and Canada for
sharing the raw material for
atomic energy production.
Mr.. Truman gave no indication
of what share of the uranium
bearing ore produced outside Rus
sian-controlled areas might be
coming to the United States, the
biggest present user of the ma
terial.
The chief source of uranium,
the material used in producing
nuclear fission, is pitchblende. OF
the three known major areas
where this uranium bearing ore
exists. two are accessible to the
three nations-deposits in the Bel
gian Congo and in Canada. The
third major source is in Czecho-