Evening star., 1951-10-11
A Matter of SeIf-Interest

the Joint Congressional Atomic Energy Commit
tee that a selfish motive is behind the commit
tees surprising proposal for broader exchange
of atomic secrets with friendly nations. We want
something which some undisclosed nation Is in
a position to furnish us-and presumably will
furnish uS-on a quid pro quo basis. What that
something is cannot be revealed. That it is
important to our own atomic development pro-
gram is indicated by the urgency of the language
used by the committee in recommending amend
ment of the Atomic Energy Act. This appears
to be matter of self-interest justifying modi-
f1cation of our policy of restricting the release
of atomic data even to our close friends.
At present we have an agreement with Great
Britain and Canada for the trading of limited
atomic information. Information pertaining to
industrial or military uses of atomic energy is
specifically excepted from this agreement, how
ever. The 1916 Atomic Energy Act forbids the
release to any country of atomic secrets bearing
on the bomb or other military applications Of
nuclear energy The modification of the law
urged by the Joint committee would not change
the statutory prohibition against exchange of
military atomic data The proposed legislation.
would authorize the Atomic Energy Commission,
with the approval of the National Security Coun-
Gil and the President, to exchange non-weapon
atomic information with any nation that Is
not threat 70 american security.
Although the exchange would involve nom
weapon data, the information sought might
contribute materially to "our own atomic pre-
paredness," the committee said. 1t spoke of
special situation" in which failure to seek the
aid of another country would mean that the
United States will be less well equipped-in q
measurable degree-to use atomic energy for
defense purposes" AS If apologizing for its
vagueness, the committee explained that the
problem to which the legislation would be related
is a complex one that involves considerations
of secrecy" that cannot be disclosed.
The committee report mentioned no partic-
ular country as possible source of desired in
formation It has been reported, however, that
Great Britain has made further advances with
respect to atomic reactors (piles for the con-
trolled release OF atomic energy than we have.
Whether the British would be willing to give US
the benefit Of their knowledge in this field in
exchange for certain non military intelligence
concerning American researches and develop
ments is a question that only negotiations could
settle.
The committee made 1t clear in It's report
that the decision to recommend amendment Of
the law was reached only after intensive study
of IAN important and complex problem requiring
the most responsible and informed appraisal"
4lldG LLeTc IL uSeo 1Of udSIS LII So1F1u8 tIlc
problem was evident from the fact that Congress
was asked to amend the law before adjournment.
In a matter necessarily surrounded with such
secrecy as this, Congress must rely heavily on
the advice of its joint committee. If the situation
described in such nebulous terms in the COM
mittee's report is that concerns the strength
ening of our atomic defenses, as the committee
hints, Congress can Ill afford to reject or ignore
this advice.