Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-12-21

nj TO speak Tor the good people.
1t is true that my Federal income tax will
be $3.50. But had the $3.50 to pay it with.
Double that and make it 5000 if necessary,
but don't go back to penny pinching I
abhor the thought. GRANT j. POTTER.
Doubts Likelihood That Atom Bomb
Will Be Employed in Future War
To the Editor Of The Star:
Will the atom bomb be used again?
The answer is: No. The atom bomb will
not be used again, for the following reasons:
/. The appalling destructive force of the
atom bomb will prevent its future use be-
cause of the fear of retaliation.
2. The United States is committed to de-
fensive war, although 1t now has mo-
nopoly of atom bombs.
8. Fear of the atom bomb will deter Russia
from an invasion of Western Europe until
she has produced stockpile of similar
weapons.
f. Russia will decide upon an aggressive
war only when possessing the atom bomb.
She believes that the fear of retaliation will
prevent an attack against her with the same
weapon.
5. Fear of retaliation was the reason
which prevented the Germans from using
poison gas in World War II. A similar
psychology will prevent either opponent
from first using the atom bomb in pos
sible World War III.
The analogy between poison gas and the
atom bomb is an obvious one. brief his
tory of chemical warfare will evidence that
fact.
Poison gas first was used by the Germans
in a surprise attack with chlorine released
from cylinders against the British early in
World War I. Chemical warfare was con-
tinued on an increasing scale by the OPP
posing armies in France until the end OF
the war.
BY the outbreak of World War II, the
science of chemical warfare had been per-
fected to high degree and the military
forces of the major nations had accumu-
lated large stockpiles Of gas and were well
equipped extensively and defensively for its
use.
Hitler Feared Use Of Gas.
AS 1t later was learned, the Germans also
had invented new type Of gas which was
exceedingly more toxic than any which
the Allies possessed. The German armies
were afforded several opportunities during
the war when a surprise attack with THIS
gas would have administered severe tactical
reverses upon the Allies At the time OF the
Normandy invasion, for example, heavy con-
centrations Of this persistent gas laid down
on the beachheads might have set back our
invasion time table for months. AS our
gas masks offered little protection against
this new gas, such an attack would have
necessitated immediate evacuation OF these
beachheads in order to prevent casualties
from reaching 100%. Although the German
high command seriously considered this
plan, Hitler decided against It, as he feared
that the Allied air force would Immediately
retaliate by the bombing OF German IN
dustrial centers with mustard gas. the
German civilian populations IN these cities
. had no protection against gas attacks IN
der q continuous bombardment with This
burning toxic gas, it was possible that they
might become panic stricken and abandon
the cities, Such risk was too great TO
undertake, even though it meant preventing
a successful invasion Of Europe for an IN
definite period.
BY the end Of the Second World War,
military authorities generally agreed that
the fear of retaliation would prevent
recurrence of chemical warfare. Today.
plans for its use are not seriously considered
IN any military estimate of the situation
In a possible Third World War. However,
chemical warfare authorities realize that the
gas of today is potentially as deadly as the
atom bomb for destroying lives and morale
in the industrial centers OF population.
There is little to choose between the two
weapons from the standpoint OF moral JUS
tification. Mans inhumanity to man Is
evidenced as effectively by killing and malm-
ing thousands Of defenseless civilians Win
an atom bomb as 1t is by filling their lungs
with poison gas.
Present Concept Of Defense Questioned.
If the reasoning is logical that the atom
bomb will not be used in Third World
war. then the concept Is illogical which
ofQ
line of defense # the atom bomb Will not
be used, our military strategy is form OF
wishful thinking which plans upon knock
ing out Russia in the first round OF short
war. The American people have been mis-.
guided In believing that such quick ana
easy victory is possible. Wars are won
only the hard way.
The atom bomb has played out its role
in history Fortunately for the human race
universal fear of its destructive force soon
will consign it to the limbo OF 1orgotten
weapons, together with poison gas
The first real line of defense Tor this
country lies in the minds and the hearts
of it's people-in their intelligence TO realize
what should be done and the determlna-
ton to make whatever sacrifices are neces-
sary to see that realization carried OUT.
What we need in this country To-Day Is an
end to vacillation, weakness and wlsn1ul
thinking. WnaL we Suouu ouoS'i'"I 40
their place is a firm resolution to mobilize
our manpower and economic resources now
in order to build our armed forces to
wartime strength as quickly as possible
ONLY then will Russia realize that we are
determined to fight communism to a nnish,
# necessary. Only then will she recognize
the futility Of her plans for world conquest
and be forced to decide that peaceful set
element is the only solution Of the worlds
.sra.art dificilties. K H. B.
Appeals for Clothing for Young Children
At industrial Home School Annex
To the Editor Of The Star:
Instead of worrying about non-segregation
in our home for Washingto1's abandoned
and destitute little children at the Industrial
Home School Annex on Loughboro road, near
Macarthur boulevard, let's worry about the