The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-04-21
BY JOHN N. H.vHTowER

WASHINGTON R--Britain held
veto power over American use of
the atomic bomb for several
years during and after World War
II, but lost 1t with the ending Of
the atomic partnership of the Unit
ed States, Britain and Canada.
In proposing to create new
partnership few years ago. Pres
ident Truman told congressional
leaders In secrecy that he wanted
to share all u. S. atomic weapon
seeiets with Britain and Canada.
REPUBLICAN leaders strongly oh.
stcied.
This information bearing on q
MAJOR phase Of American atomic
policy development has been
brought to light viii The release
CT ''The Private Papers of Sen.
Vandenberg," a volume of per-
sonal and official records from the
files of the late Republican foreign
affairs leader in the Senate.
The 599-page book, edited by the
senator's son and longtime assist
ant, Arthur H. vandenberg IT.,
covers the whole range of Amer
lean foreign policy from Pearl
Harbor To the time of the sena-
tors death one year ago. The per-
spective is that of man who
first wes through a personal rev.
olution from ''isolationism" tc ''in-
ternaiienalism" and then, begin
ming about the time of the San
Francisco u NJ. Conference,
played vital role in the shaping
Of mary great decisions.
Although he was Republican
or because he was a Republican
devoted to bipartisan support of
foreign policy--Vandenberg ad-
vised the Truman administration
on foreign affairs repeatedly and
even shared In some of its secrets
at election campaign time.
In 1913, a critical period for the
President at home and abroad,
vandenberg and Sen. Tom Con-
nally (D.-Tex.) were summoned
secretly to the White House one
evening TO learn that President
Truman was greatly disturbed
about the Russian blockade of
Berlin and was thinking about tele-
phonirg directly to Premier Stain
ito see what he could do with
him. "
vandenherg noted In his diary
that the President appeared ..anx-
ious to 40 something for peace
and also seemed TO be aware that
bis election campaign (which at
the time most people thought was
a lost causel sadly needed . sho.
in the arm"
n was not until later that Van
dcnberg learned, from the news
papers. that Mr.. Truman had con-
templated sending Chief Justice
Fred vinson on . peace mission
to Moscow and had given up the
idea when Gen. George C. Mar
shall. then secretary Of state, OPP
posed II. The idea Of q telephone
call which actually never came
off as far as the record shows,
then was Judged by vandenberg
to have been . substitute for the
discarded Vlnson mission.
The vandenberg disclosures on
atomic energy policy and prupos-
ais were checked by this reporter
with administration officials In
position 10 know the facts ard 10
have a viewpoint different from
that at the late senator. The In
qalries showed that TIE informa.
ton In tire book vas checked with
responsible officials prior TO pub
lieation ard therefore may be- tax
En- as substantially the same as
the facts Shown by official rec
egdx.
There vas some speculation here
skai tkere might DC reperealans
IN Evatain from TIE disclosure /. 81
Lo21aa bad ard lost . vc.ce In
use uf TIE A-boush. However, il
pas painted oug nat the British
have kng saaxs accustomed them-
selves 70 basic changes In Ang5o-
Amegaeam relationships whieA have
o~Sagved in this field ssace the
sar.