Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-16
[Choin Reaction

ton to our national defense.
But far more than that is in
volved. Our prestige abroad is
affected by our policy on nu-
clear tests. But, more impor-
tant, the welfare Of the whole
human race is at stake.
What right, it may well be
asked. do Russia. England and
the United States have to poi
son the earth's atmosphere, on
which the very existence Of
mankind is dependent? It is
argued that the development
Of more deadly weapons acts
as a deterrent to war. But
a nuclear arms race. if in
definitely pursued with con-
tinuing tests, could produce
the evils Of excessive radiation
without war ever being waged.
The problem is too big to
be left to the military alone.
It should be the concern Of
everybody, for all Of us, in
GLIDING our offspring, are in
volved. The serious nature Of
the issue calls for a full and
free discussion in the best
American tradition.
J. Stuart Innerst.
Russia must be laughing up
It's sleeve at Adlai Stevenson's
proposal to end the draft, and
to stop our H-bomb tests if the
Kremlin agrees to do the same.
The word Of the men in the
Kremlin means exactly moth
ing, as history has proven
countless times. and nothing
would please Russia more than
to have us weaken our national
defense. In spite Of the vast
change in military weapons,
military manpower is still
needed by our armed forces,
as was evidenced by the Ko-
rean War.
It is the earnest hope Of
thoughtful citizens that some
day we will be able to stop the
mad armament race and dis
arm, but as long as there is
q country which seeks even
tual control Of the entire
world, we must remain strong
militarily, as well as econo-
mically. Alice Hanchett.
Mr.. Stevenson's meddling
with the H-bomb and his sug-
gestions for ending the draft.
at the same time he disparages
our present situation abroad,
are highly inconsistent and
dangerous procedures.
The suggestion to drop the
H-bomb tests, especially, has
startling implications. First, it
cannot be discussed properly
in the haste and heat Of a po-
litical campaign. Next. it
breaks down the bipartisan
approach which should govern
the ultimate decision. Third,
it is scandalous to attempt to
take partisan political advan-
tage in connection with a mat
ter that conceivably could cost
the lives Of millions.
Surely the subject of the
H-bomb tests is not a matter
for a surprise move in the po-
litical arena. Rather 1t calls
for calm. non-political con-
sideration by our best experts
and leaders, and submission to
the people in a mood cold
sober. judicious. non-partisan,
humble and God-fearing.
John r. Clagett.
H%E
This reader does not take
kindly to the manner In which
The Star compounds public
confusion over "the scale and
pace Of our country's atoms
for-peace program" as evi-
denced In your October IL
editorial. "Our Atomic Posi-
ton"
The Star accepts at face
value Admiral Lewis Strauss
alleged facts and figures and
implies strongly that his re-
cent statements seem TO -de-
molish" the more accurate
and realistic Kefauyer-Ste-
venson thesis. Thus. The Star
pontificates. 1T is hard to es-
cape the conclusion that those
critics have been talking
through their hats"
The Star quotes Admiral
Strauss as saying. I'VE do not
lag behind any other nation:
on the contrary. we stand as
the acknowledged leader in
every aspect Of nuclear power
development. both for mill
tary and peaceful purposes"
II we are the -leader In
every aspect Of nuclear power
development" how come none
Of our homes or ofhces are
J lighted o. heated b. atomic