Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-02-24
Act Of Greatness

President Eisenhower has taken
great and far-reaching historical step In
deciding that the United States will make
available 10000 Kilograms of uranium 235
for the effectuation of his atoms-for-
peace program at home and abroad.
Never before has the world seen gesture
quite so striking as this or so well de-
signed to promote immense good for all
mankind
What is 10000 Kilograms of U-235?
Translated into figures familiar to all Of
us, it is 5000 pounds of vast potential
power-a huge mass Of fashionable mate
rial whose value has been estimated at 81
billion by Chairman Lewis L. Strauss of
the Atomic Energy Commission. In its
purest form, fully utilized for destructive
ends, it would be enough for the manu-
facture of roughly $500 Hiroshima type
A-bombs, each equivalent to 10000 tons
Of TINT.
But the material covered by the
Presidents decision, which has been
based on a recommendation made by Mr..
Strauss. has been earmarked, OF course,
for peaceful purposes only. Although
rather difficult type of processing could
make it militarily significant, it is not
what is called "weapons-grade" U-235,
and its distribution will be subject to
prudent safeguards" against It's use for
other than beneflcent projects. In short,
1t Is TO be employed exclusively as fuel
for such things as research reactors. the
production of radioisotopes, and particu-
larly the support of national and inter-
national programs aimed at Harvesting
nuclear energy to generate several
millions Of electrical kilowatts."
To that end, with the principal EN-
phasis on power-producing reactorS, the
10000 Kilograms set aside by the Presi-
dent are to be distributed as follows: "a
One half the total will go through leas-
ing arrangements to American private
enterprises undertaking licensed civilian
atomic projects In the United States and
(2l the other half will be reserved for
either sale or lease to friendly countries
abroad, excepting those-like Britain and
Canada-now turning out their own
U-235. And also excluded, for obvious
reasons, are the Soviet Union and Its
satellites. AS for costs, the charges to
buyers or lessees presumably will be based
on calculations fixing the materials value
at SIS gram.
OF course, as both the President and
Mr.! Strauss have emphasized. the dis
tribution of all. this U-235 1.-THE project
will be gradual, not instantaneous VIII
not have the slightest inhibiting effect
on our ability to produce nuclear weapons
Ia fact plainly indicating that our actual
and prospective supply of fashionable ma
terial must be genuinely tremendous. so
the great virtue of the undertaking is
that it promises year-by-year speed-up
in the international atoms for peace pro-
gram without In any way interfering with
our defense requirements. And at the
same time 1t constitutes massive chal-
lenge to the Krenllin by dramatically
debating Premier Bulganin's boast that
the USSR leads every nation in develop
ing atomic energy for the worlds beneflt.
But its propaganda value Is not the
most important aspect of the Presidents
move. What makes 1t supremely signifi-
cant is that 1t offers, in tangible form,
the wherewithal to improve mans lot and
lay the foundations for good and last
ing peace. In that sense, as Mr.. Eisen-
hover has said, it is truly IAN earnest Of
our faith"-the faith Of American the
possibility Of getting rid Of war and build
ing a bright future for the whole of hui
mainly. Surely, II all goes well, II history
itself is not finished by an atomic hydro
gen Armageddon. 1t is thing likely to
be remembered for generations to come
as an act to greatness rejecting no little
glory on our country.
nuoe%;on ~ Ennd En:&h