Evening star., 1950-07-07
'Fother of Atom Bomb
Urges End of Secrecy
Appeal to U. N. Warns
Of Worldwide Disuster
By Thomos R. Henry

VI VOIio-Wioe OtSQSrer
By Thomos R. Henry
The father OF the atom bomb"-the
great Danish physicist Nils Bohr- today
appealed for an end to secrecy all over
the world In all fields Of science.
His lengthy communication to the
United Nations was released through
the American Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science. It includes parts
OF q memorandum submitted to Presi-
dent Roosevelt In 1914 and of one COM
municated to the State Department In
1913.
Prof. Bohr makes no concrete pro-
posalS as to how his ideas can be ef-
fected and admits that in the present
state Of the world they seem somewhat
utopian. But, he argues, competition In
atomic warfare developments carried
out In secrecy by great nations is ere
ating mutual suspicion which can end
only in worldwide disaster.
First Announced in '39.
1t was Prof. Bohr's announcement In
Washington early in 1899 of the sue
cessful fission Of the uranium atom at
the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute In Berlin
which started the present atomic age.
Previously he had been the worlds Lead
ing authority on atomic physics. The
most widely accepted picture Of the atom
Is still referred to as the "Bohr atom"
The situation confronting the world.
Prof. Bohr says, Is so threatening that
extraordinary measures beyond the
scope Of conventional diplomacy" should
be taken Immediately. He indicates that
any nation stands to gain more than IL
loses by taking the initiative in revealing
all its atomic secrets, regardless Of the
attitude of others.
This procedure, he suggests, at least
would have the effect of putting a ma.
ton which continued its policy Of Sc
crecy on the spot before the world.
Within the last years." he explains,
worldwide political Developments have
increased the tension between nations
and at the same time the perspectiyes
that great countries may compete about
possession Of means Of annihilating
populations of large areas and even
making parts Of the earth temporarily
uninhabitable have caused widespread
confusion and alarm.
Calls for Open Attitudes.
The situation calls for the most un-
prejudiced attitude toward all questions
OF international relations. Indeed, proper
appreciation Of the responsibilities i'm
piled In world citizenship is In our time
more necessary than ever before. On
the one hand. the progress Of science
and technology has tied the fate Of all
nations inseparably together; on the
other hand it is in q most different cul-
tural background that vigorous endeav-
ors for national self f-assertion and social
development are being made In the vari-
Gus parts Of our globe.
An open world where each nation can
assert itself solely by the extent to which
it can contribute to the common culture
and is able to help others with expert
ence and resources must be the goal to
put above everything else. Within any
community it is only possible for the
citizens to strive together for common
welfare on basis Of public knowledge Of
general conditions in the country. Like
wise real cooperation between nations
on problems Of common concern pre-
supposes free access to all information
Of importance to their relations. I ANY
argument for upholding barriers for in
formation and intercourse, based on
concern for national ideals or interests.
must be weighed against the beneficial
effects Of common enlightenment and
the relieved tensions resulting from
openness.
II turn to the United Nations with
these considerations in the hope that
they may contribute to the search for
realistic approach to the grave and
urgent problems confronting humanity.
The arguments presented suggest that
every initiative from any side toward
the removal Of obstacles for free mutual
information and intercourse would be Of
the greatest Importance in breaking the
present deadlock and encouraging 9th.
ers to take steps in the same direction.
The efforts Of all supporters Of interna-
tlonal cooperation. individuals as well
as nations. will be needed to create in all
countries an opinion to voice. with ever
increasing clarity and strength, the de-
mand for an open world"
Prof. Bohr stresses that he himself
has had nothing to do with atomic bomb
research since returning to Denmark
after the liberation in l945. In his com.
munication to President Roosevelt In
1874 he warned that any temporary adj
vantage from the atomic bomb. however
great, might 'be outweighed by q per-
petual menace to human security" He
suggested then that the initiative In
ending secrecy would best come from
the side which by good fortune has
achieved lead In the efforts of MASTER
ing mighty forces Of nature hitherto
beyond human reach"
Questions and Aneware