Evening star., 1953-01-02
By Chorles F. Borrett
Assncinfnd Prass SAnfE WriAar


The new Congress is casting a
cool eye toward high-level sug-,
gestions from both sides of the
Atlantic that the United States
should lower its secrecy bars and
share again some atomic informa-
ton with Britain.
Incoming Congressman willing
to take a stand IN an Associated
Press survey lined up almost 2 to
against an open interchange of
data with the ally who teamed
jointly with the United States in
developing the first atomic bomb
In World War II. .@aaI T. .
But there was lively argument
on the issue, and many lawmakers
said they have not made up their
minds. .: as, tis
Favorable replies voiced such
views as these: Representative
Cooley, Democrat, of North Caro-
lima, Britain is our best ally;
Representative Seely-Brown, Re-
publican, of Connecticut, 1.-The
Free World will stand or fall to-
gether," and Representative Hyde,
Republican. of Maryland. Either
we're allies or we're not"
Progress TO be Studied.
And the more numerous mega
tive side sounded these themes:
Representative Holifield, Demo-
crat. of California, British secur-
ity system doubtful, too danger
ous"; Representative Douglas, Re-
publican. of Iowa. In the light of
Britain's refusal to aid according
to her ability in the Korean War
-. would not make available
to her any information whatever"
At any rate, the Congress con-
vening tomorrow seems certain
to take a long look at the propo-
sition in the light of paramount
new developments ten years after
the first successful atomic chain
reaction in December, 1912, raised
the curtain on the atomic age.
These developments-inc Cd
Britain's first explosion of an
atomic bomb. t2) progress in the
United States on a hydrogen or
'hell" bomb. Cd new demands
for steps TOWARD atomic power
for industry, and a. a growing
insiStence from free world mill
tary leaders that they share
enough knowledge about United
States atomic weapons to help
plan a common defense.
U. S. Cut Ties in 1916.
Britain, Canada and the United
States worked hand in-glove on
a joint atomic program until the
ties were cut in 1916 by a United
States law forbidding the passing
of any American atom informa-
ton to foreign power.
The tight security regulations
of the 1916 Atomic Energy Act
were relaxed slightly by Congress
in 1851. The 1851 amendment per-
mits the United States to share
with friendly nations certain
atomic energy data outside the
field of military weapons-such
things as reactor development,
treatment of source materials and
production Of fashionable matter.
But disclosure Of information
about atomic weapons is still pro-
. hibited.
Prime Minister Churchill said
recently he thinks Britain and the
United States should share in
formation again, after President
elect Eisenhower takes Office Janu-
ary 20. Mr.. Churchill reportedly
will press this point, using Brit
aims atomic explosion as bar
gaining point, in expected talks
with Gen. Eisenhower in New
York next week.
Would Modify Ban.
The State and Defense Depart.
ments and Atomic Energy Com.
mission are reported to have
agreed Informally that the 194t
act should be modified at least Sc
the United States could give some
information on atomic weapons tt
its North Atlantic treaty allies.
Obviously, Gen. Eisenhower anc
his incoming administration hole
the key to whether such pro.
gram will be recommended tt
Congress. Gen. Eisenhower ha.
given no hint of his attitude yet
In the survey, incoming Con.
gressmen across the country were
asked whether they favored q re-