Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-24
PopeAppea|s
For WorId Ban
On A-Weapons
Urges Renouncing
Of Tests and Use;
Asks Arms Control


Pope Plus XII, in his 18th an
nual Christmas message, called
on the world today to renounce
atomic tests and the use OF
atomic weapons.
The 79-year-old spiritual lead
er of more than $50 million Ro-
man Catholics said control OF
nuclear weapons involves three
simultaneous steps: Renuncia-
ton of experiments with such
weapons, remuneration OF their
use, and general control of all
ornaments. He called for an in
ternational agreement to achieve
them.
The pontiff, speaking from his
golden throne over the Vatican
radio. warned that merely halt
ing atomic weapon tests would
not be adequate. Such a linn
tied step, he added, would give
sufficient reason to doubt a
sincere desire to put into effect
the other two conventions"
(The most recent American
atomic weapon tests were held
at the Nevada proving grounds
early last month. In Wash
ington, James c. Hagerty,
presidential press secretary,
said the White House had no
comment on the Pope's plea.)
Freedom for Colonies
The Pontiff also:
/. Warned that colonial
peoples must not be denied po-
ltical freedom.
2. Repeated emphatically the
Catholic Church's rejection Of
communism as social system,
by virtue of Christ's doctrine.
The Pope. dressed in white
and gold robes. spoke in a firm
voice to 16 assembled Cardinals
and other prelates. His delivery
was in marked contrast with last
year, when he was able to give
the world only a brief greeting
after his convaleScence from q
grave illness. Persons close to
him said today he appeared
somewhat tired from the pres
sure of the Christmas season but
otherwise seemed filter than for
some years.
Dangerous Atomic Effects
The Pontiff warned against
the possible danger of too many
experiments with atomic ex-
plosions. saying:
THE opinion of those who
fear the effects produced If they
are multiplied would seem to be
finding greater acceptance.
TOO many such explosions
would in time cause an increase
in the density of radioactive
products in the atmosphere,
whose diffusion depends on ele-
ments not under mans control;
thus would be generated condi-
tons very dangerous for many
living beings"
He also painted grim picture
of what the use of atomic weap-
ons would do to the world:
This is the spectacle offered
to the terrified gaze as result
of such use: entire cities. even
the largest and the richest in
art and history. wiped out; a
pail of death over the pulverized
ruins, covering countless victims
with limbs burnt. twisted, and
scattered while others groan in
their death agony.
Meanwhile. the specter of the
radioactive cloud hinders the
survivors from giving any help
and inexorably advances to snuff
out any remaining life. There
will be. no song of victory, only
the inconsolable weeping Of
humanity which in desolation
will gaze upon the catastrophe
brought on by its own folly"
Mutual Suspicious Cited
In connection with his in
sistence that the proposed con-
trolls be instituted simultane-
ously, the Pontiff said he spoke
$50 frankly because the danger
of insufficient proposals con-
corning peace depends in large
part on the mutual suspicious
that often trouble the dealings
of the mowers concerned. Each