Evening star., 1955-02-16
President Sees
Peace Spur in
H-Boinb Report
Approved Release
To Re-emphusize
Disaster of War

ACICdoc VI dl OllLCtdl TcpUEt
detailing the widespread peril
contained in radioactive "falI-
out" resulting from a hydrogen
bomb blast was authorized by
President Eisenhower in the hope
that it would re-emphasize the
need for world peace and dis
armament.
This was disclosed today by
White House Press Secretary
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Text Of Strouss Settlement on H-Bomb
Effects. .Poee A-S
Nevodo Atomic Test Postponed Asoin.
Poee AS
James C. Hagerty when asked for
comment on the report issued
late yesterday by Chairman
Lewis l.. Strauss of the Atomic
Energy Commission.
The report said the fallout fol-
lowing explosion Of an H-bomb
the size Of the one exploded in
Pacific tests last March could
endanger the life of every person
in an area 140 miles long and up
to 20 miles wide.
Had Seen Report.
Mr.. Hagerty told newsmen this
morning that the President had
seen the report and approved
its issuance, He pointed out that
there had been a great deal of
speculation-some of it exag-
gerated, he said-on the effects
of radioactive fall-out. Mr..
Eisenhower thought, he contin-
ued. that publication Of the re-
port would provide the facts on
fall-out and would re-emphasize
three items:
l. The need for world peace
and disarmament.
2. What the United States be-
lieves is the need for adoption
by the United Nations of the
Presidents atoms-for-peace pro-
posal.
8. The steps citizens can take
to protect themselves and their
families in case of a possible
attack.
Mr.. Hagerty added that the
report contained nothing new
so far as the President was con-
cerned. since he has kept in
close touch with the Aces tests
and their results.
s In Worst Conditions.
Mr.. Strauss pointed out in the
report issued yesterday that the
estimate Of possible loss Of
life was made assuming "the
worst possible conditions" -
that is, that the persons In
the radioactive zone would take
no shelter or elementary pre-,
cautions and remain exposed for
36 hours.
He explained that evacuation
or prompt protective measures
would cut the percentage Of
casualties so they would be con-
siderably smaller than those
extreme estimates"
Lifting the blackout curtain on
details Of the radiation aspects
Of the 1854 tests, Mr.. Strauss de-
clared that his statement was
designed to keep the American
people informed of the dangers
of nuclear explosions and of the
methods to protect themselves.
Cigar-shaped Area.
In his report, the chairman
said that the March explo-
sion contaminated an elongated,
cigar shaped area of about 1000
square miles (roughly the size Of
Delaware and Connecticut COM
bined) downwind from the burst
point.
He said that this entire area
was so contaminated by RADIO
active dust that survival might
have depended upon prompt
evacuation or the taking of shell
ter and other defensive measures.
According to his report, the
contamination actually spread
220 miles from the bursting
point and reached widths up to
10 miles. About half of the
persons at 100 miles distance
probably would perish and from
to 10 per cent at 100 miles. |
Contamination is not fatal at
220 miles or more.
Representative Durham, DEM
ocrat, Of North Carolina. vice