Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1961-10-25
Our Real DANGER
A certain note of

certain note of hysteria has run
through much Of the reaction to Russia'S
pig bomb teSt-and this raises a serious
threat to the vital security interests of
the United States.
1t is true, of course, that this Soviet
test, as well as those that have preceded
1t, will create additional radioactive
1aIlout around much of the world. As
OF this time, however, no one knows how
extensive the increase will be or whether
t-1terally will endanger human beings.
But we do not think that the outlook
on this score warrants any panicky or
historical reaction.
The real danger takes quite a
different form. When Mr.. Khrushchev
finishes his current series Of tests he
VIII be In strong position to say: Lets
have moratorium" That such a
proposal would fall on many receptive
ears cannot be doubted. Prime Minister
Nehru has already called for such test
ban. And there will be plenty Of others
to take up the cry. 1t is hardly necessary
to say that this will make 1t more diff
cult for the United States to continue
its own tests. We will be counting
disaster, however, If we bow to the
pressure.
One view of the Russian tests is
that they have been staged for purposes
OF terrorizing the world. We think that
this Is avery dubious assumption. It
Is much more reasonable to believe that
these explosions in the atmosphere have
been staged to test and If necessary to
perfect new nuclear weapons developed
In Soviet laboratories during the three
year ban on testing, and during which
no atmospheric tests, at least, could be
conducted. What kind Of new weapons?
We do not know. But 1t surely is worth
noting that Soviet Defense Minister
Malinovsky says that Russia has "suc-
cesSfully solved the problem of destroy
ing rockets in flight" II this is the
meaning Of the current tests, II Marshal
Malinovsky was referring to ballistic
missiles, the United States will stand
still at its peril-and at the peril of the
whole free world.
Majority Leader Mansfield and Sem
ator Clinton Anderson, member and
former chairman of the Joint Committee
on Atomic Energy, have said that the
United States must proceed with testing,
including above-ground tests. We do
not see how any sensible person can
doubt that they are right. For Is
years, our security, and the security
Of the entire Communist world,
has been based on the nuclear superb
ority Of the United States. Nothing else
stands between US and Communist
domination-either through conquest
.Qr- blackmail. The Russian tests, at the
least, mean that they are whiting
AWAY at our margin of superiority. If
IT is lost, the shield is gone-and the
-road will be open to the Communist
goal of world domination.
- It Is this, we believe, which con-
.ytitutes the real threat-a danger in
tcalculably greater than that posed by
.fallout from tests, current or prospec-
Live. One may be sure, however, that
this crucial point will be obscured in the
sclamor for an end to testing, once the
Russians are through with theirs. The
.pressure which will be generated will
not be easy to resist. But we must not
yield to it. The President, by whom the
{. decision finally must be made, will need
all possible support. If those who think
sonly in terms of fallout have their way,
II, in the hope of placating these people,
I'VE fail to conduct all necessary tests,
we will be guilty of what could very
well be our most dangerous, and perhaps
spur last, act of appeasement.
a.