davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
Soviet Tests Called
More Than Just Bluff

of the 18-nation Geneva con-
ference. This country's aim
would be to achieve a major
"breakthrough to peace" Mr..
Kennedy said.
The United States and Brit
ain would again present their
draft treaty for an all-inclu-
Sive test ban, the President an
nounced, with certain new
notifications"
Presumably he referred to
his concern that inspection and
control measures should also
guard against secret prepara-
tions for tests as well as the
tests themselves.
If the Soviet Union were to
accept that treaty there would,
be no need for our test to be-
gin," the President said.
He added that he. and British
Prime Minister Macmillan,
would meet Chairman Khru-'
shchev at a summit conference.
in Geneva to sign such a
treaty. {
I'm the last analysis, it is.
the leaders of the Soviet Union
who must bear the heavy re7
sponsibility, in the weeks that
lie ahead, whether we proceed
with these new steps-or pro-
coed with new tests" the Pres
ident warned. !
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
Asks Understanding
From u. S. Friends

While we will be conducting
far fewer tests than the So
VETS, with far less fallout, there
will still be those in other coun-
tries who will urge us to re-
frain from testing at all. Per-
haps they forget that this
country long refrained from
testing, and sought to ban all
tests, while the Soviets were
secretly preparing new explo-
sions. Perhaps they forget the
Soviet threats of last autumn
and their arbitrary rejection
of all appeals and proposals,
from both the United States
and United Nations.
But those free peoples who
value their freedom and secur-
ity, and look to our relative
strength to shield them from
danger - those who know of
our good faith in seeking an
end to testing and an end to
the arms race - will, am
confident, want the United
States to do whatever it must
do to deter the threat of ag-
erosion.
If they felt we could be
Swayed by threats or intimi-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03

tugs and other kinds of vessels
to forces supporting nuclear
tests.
The Navy will haul personnel
and the considerable quantities
of food, fuel and materials.
Signal Corps to Help
Some of it's ships will handle
the heavy flow of messages be-
tween the test area and the
continental United States. Army
Signal Corps personnel are ex-
pected to share the communi-
cations load.
In addition to air sampling
and other Instrumentation
work, aircraft are likely to be
used to ferry members of the
task force about the far-flung
test area.
Preparations for the new test
series have been under way
at least since December 20,
when the Pentagon announced
creation of Joint Task Force 8
and placed it under the COM
mand of Army Mai. Gen. Alfred
D. Starbird. A small advance
party of technicians then moved
into the Pacific area.
The full task force includes
$500 Navy men, 1,7O0 Air
Force personnel, 600 from the
Army and 100 from the Marine
Corps.
Most of its $500 civilians are
drawn from the Acc.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
Responsibility
Is Soviet Unions
le final paCl


For our ultimate objective is
not to test for the sake of
testing. Our real objective is
to make our own tests unneces-
sary, to prevent others from
testing, to prevent the nuclear
arms race from mushrooming
out of control, to take the first
steps toward general and COM
plete disarmament. And that
is why, in the last analysis, it
is the leaders of the Soviet
Union who must bear the
heavy responsibility of choos-
ing, in the weeks that lie ahead,
whether we proceed with these
new steps-or proceed with new
tests.
If they are convinced that
their interests can no longer
be served by the present course
of events, then it is my fervent
hope that they will agree to
an effective treaty. But if
they persist in rejecting all
means of true inspection, then
We shall be left with no choice
but to keep our own defensive
arsenal adequate for the Sc
curity of all free men.
1t is our hope and prayer
that these grim, unwelcome
tests will never have to be
made that these deadly
weapons will never have to be
fired-and that our prepara-
tons for war will bring about
the preservation of peace. Our
foremost aim is the control of
force, not the pursuit of force,
in a world made safe for man
kind. But whatever the future
brings, I am sworn to uphold
and defend the freedom of the
American people and I intend
to do whatever must be done
to fulfill that solemn obliga-
ton.
Thank you-and good night.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
u. S. Will Offer
Disarmament Plan

II the Soviets should change
their position, we will have an
opportunity to learn it imme-
diately. On the 14th of March,
in Geneva, Switzerland, a new
18-power conference on dis
armament will begin. A state
ment of agreed principles has
been worked out with the So
VETS and Endorsed by the U. N.
In the long run, it is the con-
structive possibilities of that
conference and not the test
ing of new destructive weapons
on which rest the hopes OF
all mankind. However dim
those hopes may sometimes
seem, they can never be aban-
doned. And however far-oft
most steps toward disarma-
ment appear, there are some
that can be taken at once.
The United States will offer
at the Geneva conference-not
in the advance expectation
they will be rejected, and not
merely for purposes of propa-
ganda a series of concrete
plans for a major break
through to peace" We hope
and believe that they will ap-
peal to all nations opposed to
war.
They will include specific
proposals for fair and enforce
able agreements: To halt the
production of fashionable ma
terials and nuclear weapons
and their transfer to other ma
tons - to convert them from
weapon Stockpiles to peaceable
useS-to destroy the warheads
and the delivery systems that
threaten mans existence - tt
check the dangers of surprise
and accidental attack-to re.
serve outer space for peaceful
se-and progressively to re-
duce all armed forces in such
a way as ultimately to remove
forever all threats anc
thoughts of war.
And of greatest Importance
to our discussion tonight, We
shall, in association with the
United Kingdom, present once
again our proposals for a sep
arate comprehensive treaty =
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
Congressional Leaders
Back Kennedy on ests

President Kennedy, has in
deed gone the last mile in his
efforts to obtain a genuine test
ban agreement. :"
"A Courageous Decision"
House Speaker Mccormack.
Democrat of Massachusetts,
called it "a courageous decision
and a sound one in the national
interest"
Other comments from Con-
gress members:
Representative Arends Of
Illinois, assistant Republican
leader: II commend the de-
cision. We should have re-
sumed testing sooner"
Senator Dodd, Democrat of
Connecticut: 1T was a difficult
decision to make because 1t
involved an admission that we
have fruitlessly gambled with
our national security and have
lost precious time and prog
ress."
House Democratic Leader AL
bert of Oklahoma: "We GER
tainly should go ahead with
the testing. The Presidents
decision should have the sup
port of everyone"
Senator Anderson, Democrat
of New Mexico, a member OF
the Senate-Ho Committee
on Atomic Energy: I'm view Of
the Russian tests and achieve
mentS, I do not see how the
President could have come to
any other decision.
Senator Javits, Republican of
New York: Il respect enor-r
mously the strong feeling of
many people that we should
not test in the atmosphere
even if we have to desist uni
laterally.
But if the President
feels the United States is really
disadvantaged in terms of its
nuclear security, then I think
the world situation leaves us
no other alternative,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
Tests Will Start
In Late April

Having carefully considered
these findings having received
the unanimous recommended
tons of the pertinent depart
ment and agency heads and
having observed the Soviet IN
ions refusal to accept any
agreement which would inhibit
its freedom to test extensively
after preparing secretly = !
have today authorized the
Atomic Energy Commission and
the Department of Defense to
conduct a series of nuclear
tests beginning when our
preparations are completed, in
the latter part of April and to
be concluded as quickly as
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03

Congressional leaders jumped
Immediately and solidly behind
President Kennedy's announce
ment that the United States
will resume atmospheric nu-
clear testing late next month
unless Russia agrees to an en-
forceable test ban.
Senate Democratic Leader
Mansfield of Montana said
leaders of both parties met with
the President before his Nation
wide television and radio ad-
dress last night and joined in
supporting Mr.. Kennedy's de-
cision.
Senator Mansfield declared:
I'm spite of the rebuffs from
the Russians, he (Mr. Kennedy
has shown great patience. The
attitude of the Soviet Union
leaves no choice but to do what
he has done. If the Soviet
Union is still interested, there
is still time to come to a fool
proof and lasting agreement" "
G. o. p. Leaders Back Tests
Senate Republican Leader
Dirksen of Illinois said he and
House Republican Leader Hal
leck of Indiana have been call
ing for resumption of United
States atmospheric tests for the
past nine months. Senator
Dirksen added:
THE President has dis
charged his full responsibility
in his offer to desist if the So
viets will act to sign an ade-
quate treaty with the necessary
safeguards. Civilization could
require no more than this"
But Senator Dirksen stressed
that he means a signed treaty.
This doesn't mean that the
Russians could say they are
ready to sign and have the tests
put off," he said.
Representative Holifield
Democrat of California, chair
man of the Senate House Com
mittee on Atomic Energy, said,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03

thoroughly, and found it i'm
possible of execution.
In short, in the absence of
a firm agreement that would
halt nuclear tests by the lat
ter part of April, we shall go
ahead with our talks striving
for some new avenue of agree
ment - but we shall also go
ahead with out tests. If, on
the other hand, the Soviet IN
ion should accept such a treaty
in the opening month of talks,
that single step would be a
monumental step toward peace
and both Prime MiniSt e r
Macmillan and I would think
it fitting to meet Chairman
Khrushchev at Geneva to sign
the final pact.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03

in Hawaii and the West Coast
and to atomic laboratories in
the United States.
Much of the actual testing
will be done by Atomic Energy
Commission scientists and tech
nicians. Defense Department
specialists will monitor the
blasts with instruments gauging
explosive force, radiation and
heat effects.
Will Take Air Samples
Instrument bearing Navy
ships and Air Force planes will
be deployed about the test area
to record the various effects.
Among other things, planes will
take samples of air after the
test devices are detonated and
ships will scoop up water
samples.
Some ships and planes of the
task force will be on picket
duty to keep out unwary
vessels or aircraft that might
stray into the danger area. Of
ficials said advance warning
will be given to Minimize risk
to shipping.
There was no estimate of the
number of ships and aircraft
to be used in the series, which
President Kennedy said will be
completed within two or three
months.
In past exercises of this sort,
the Navy has assigned COM
mand ships, carriers, destroyers,
transports amphibious vessels,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
Soviet Union Broke
A-Test Moratorium

But on September first of
last year, while the United
States and the United King
dom were negotiating in good
faith at Geneva, the Soviet
Union callously broke its NOR
atorium with a two-month
series of tests of more than 40
nuclear weapons. Preparations
for these tests had been Sc
cretly underway for many
months. Accompanied by new
threats and new tactics of ter
ror, these tests conducted
mostly in the atmosphere =
represented a major Soviet eff
fort to put nuclear weapons
back into the arms race.
Once it was apparent that
new appeals and proposals
were to no avail. I authorized
on September fifth a resumption
of United States nuclear tests
underground, and announced
on November second - before
the close of the Soviet series
that preparations were being
ordered for a resumption of
atmospheric tests. and that we
would make whatever tests our
security required in the light
of Soviet gains.
Reviews Completed
This week, the National Sc
curity Council of the United
States has completed its re-
view Of this subject. The scope
Of the Soviet tests has been
carefully reviewed by the most
competent scientists in the
country. The scope and justi-
fication of proposed American
tests have been carefully re-
viewed, determining which ex-
periments can be safely de-
ferred, which can be defeated,
which can be combined or con-
Quoted underground, and which
are essential to our mill
tary and scientific progress.
Careful attention has been
given to the limiting of radio
active fallout, to the future
course of arms control diplo-
macy, and our obligations to
other nations.
Every alternative was exam
ined. Every avenue of obtain
ing Soviet agreement was ex-
plored. We were determined
not to rush into initiating their
tests. And we were equally de-
termined to do only what our
own security required us to do
Although the complex prepare
tions have continued at full
speed while these facts were
being uncovered, no single &C.
cision of this administration
has been more thoroughly OF
more thoughtfully weighed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
WEAPONS
Continued From Page AL

Continued From Page AL
to test some existing weapons
which have never been fired
under simulated combat con-
ditions. For instance, the Navy
wants to fire a loaded Polaris
missile from a submerged sub
marine and then see if it ex-
plodes properly over a target
more than 1000 miles away.
Each service has a number
of weapons which have never,
had a thorough test-but which
the Acc has certified as sure
to go off as designed.
Among these are the Army's
anti-aircraft Hercules, the big
artillery" missiles Corporal,
Redstone, Pershing, Sergeant.
Lacrosse, Davy Crockett and
Honest john; naval weapons
such as the Asroc, Subroc and
Astor underwater rockets and
the anti-aircraft missiles Tales.
Terrier and Tartar, and the
Air Forces new rocket bomb"
Hound Dog and aerial COM
bat missiles Genie and Falcon.
The services not only want
to see whether the weapons
produce the predicted results
but they also want to analyze
the warhead in a search for
defects which would permit
the enemy to counter them,
They also would like to trv
to duplicate some of the So
Wet weapons tested last fall
during RusSia's long series of
explosions in the Attic to see
If weaknesses can be found
The military men also want
to study the side effects of
nuclear explosions which NAV
be useful as weapons. In par.
ticular, the electromagnetic Of
fectS OF atmospheric explosions
carry deep implications. II is
possible, some theorists saw
that the strong electrical cur,
rents created by an explosion
may be more damaging to the
enemy's weapons than hlact
fire and radiation.
Nuclear explosions in. the
atmosphere apparently set I'm
strong electrical currentsTin an
area vastly larger than tho
area of blast and fire dest,1Ic
ton. 1t is possible that these
currents could disturb the
delicate electronic eouipnent
within our underground inter
continental balliStics missiles
II tests show that this Is trIo
the possibility would be raisoG
that many ICBMs could ba
put out of action by one bio
enemy missile unless snecio1
shielding we're provided ''4
United States analyses of ~.
Russian tests indicate the ~
slams made surprising advance.
IN packing immense power int
nuclear WarheadS and j.,
ing fallout.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
GoIIuudet Awarded
$4,000 Meyer Fund

Gallaudet College has bee-
awarded a $4,000 grant by the
Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer
Foundation.
The grant was announced by
DR.. Leonard M. Elstad. college
president. It will be used for
general research not covered by
other research funds available
to the college.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
The Lesson
Of Geneva Talks


The leaders of the Soviet
Union are also watching this
decision. Should we fail to fol.
low the dictates of our owr
security, they will chalk it up
not to goodwill, but to a fail.
ure of will-not to our conf
dence in Western superiority
but to our fear of world opin-
ion, the very world opinion fol-
which they showed such con-
tempt.
They could we'll be encour.
aged by such signs of weakness
to seek another period of nc
testing without controls = an.
other opportunity for Sitting
our progress while secretly pre-
pairing, on the basis Of last
falls experiments, for the new
test series which might alter
the balance of power.
With such a one-sided ad-
vantage, why would they
change their strategy, or re-
frain from testing, merely be-
cause we refrained? Why would
they want to halt their drive
to surpass us in nuclear tech
nology? And why would they
ever consider accepting a true
test ban or mutual disarma-
ment? $50
Our Reasons Are Clear
Our reasons for testing and
our peaceful intentions are
clear clear that even the
Soviets could not effectively
regard our resumption of tests,
following their own resumption
of tests, as provocative or pre-
paratory for war. On the con-
trary, it is my hope that the
prospects for peace may actu-
ally be strengthened. by this
decision once the Soviet lead
ers realize that the West will
no longer stand still, negoti-
ating in good faith, while they
reject inspection and are free
to prepare for further tests.
AS new disarmament talks
approach. the basic lesson oil
some three years and 1853 ne.
gotiating sessions at Geneva il
this that the SovietS will moi
agree to an effective ban or
nuclear tests as long as a news
series Of offers and prolonged
negotiations, or a new unin-
spected moratorium, or a new
agreement without controls
would enable them once again
to prevent the West from test
ing while they prepare in
secret.
But inasmuch as this choice
is now no longer open to them
let us hope that they will take
a different attitude on ban.
ming nuclear tests that they
will prefer to see the nucleal
arms race checked instead oil
intensified, with all the dan.
gers that intensification is like
ly to bring: The spread of nu-
clear weapons to other nations;
the constant increase in worlo
tensions: the steady decrease
in all prospects for disarma.
ment; and. with it, a steady
decrease in the security of us
oil
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03

to encourage offensive designs
Were we to stand still while
the Soviets surpassed us - or
even appeared to surpass US
the free worlds ability to deter,
to survive and to respond to
an all-out attack would be
cof.ioiIclsr ,rtnalrh,nnA
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03
Soviet Weoponry
Advanced by Tests

Had the Soviet tests of last
fall merely reflected a new eff
fort in intimidation and bluff,
our security would not have
been affected. But in fact they
also reflected a highly sophis-
ticated technology. the trail of
novel designs and techniques,
and some substantial gains in
weaponry, Many of their tests
were aimed at improving their
defenses against missiles -
others were proof tests, trying
out existing weapons systems
but over one-half emphasized
the development of new weap-
onS, particularly those of great
er explosive power.
A primary purpose of these
tests was the development of
warheads which weigh very lit
tie compared to the destructive
efficiency of their thermonu-
clear yield. One Soviet test
weapon exploded with the force
of So megatons-the equival-
ent of So million tons of INT.
This was a reduced-yield YER
iSon of their much-publicized
hundred-megaton bomb. Today,
Soviet missiles do not appear
able to carry so heavy a war
head. But there is no avoiding
the fact that other Soviet
tests, in the lis megaton range
and up,. were aimed at unleash
ing increased destructive power
in warheads actually capable
of delivery by existing missiles.
nti-Missile Test
Much also has been said
about Soviet claims for an anti
missile missile. Some of the
Soviet tests which measured the
effects OF high altitude nu-
clear explosion = in one case
over 100 miles high-were re-
lated to this problem. While
APPARENTLY seeking information
Con the effects of nuclear blasts
on radar and communication
which is important in develop
ing an anti-missile defense sys-
tenn, these tests did not, in our
judgement, reflect a developed
system.
In short, last falls tests
in and by themselves, did not
give the Soviet Union super
iority in nuclear power. They
did, however, provide the So
Wet laboratories with a mass
of data and experience or
which. over the next two OF
three years, they can base sig
nificant analyses, experiments
and extrapolations, preparing
for the next test series which
would confirm and advance
their findings.
And I must report to you ir
all candor that further Soviet
series in the absence of fur
Their Western progress, coulo
well provide the Soviet Union
with a nuclear attack and de-
Tense capability so powerful as
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-03

possible within two or three
months) such series, involv-
ling only those tests which
cannot be held underground,
to take place in the atmos-
phere over the Pacific Ocean.
These tests are to be con-
Quoted under conditions which
restrict the radioactive fallout
to an absolute minimum, far
less than the contamination
created by last falls Soviet
series. BY paying careful at
tention to location, wind and
weather conditions. and by
holding these tests over the
open sea. we intend to rule
out any problem of fallout in
the immediate area of testing.
Moreover, we will hold the in
crease in radiation in the
Northern Hemisphere, where
nearly all such fallout will oc-
cur, to a very low level.
To Keep Fallout Low
Natural radioactivity, as
everyone knows, has always
been part of the air around
us, with certain long range BIZ
illogical effects. BY conserva-
tive estimate, the total effects
from this test series will be
roughly equal to- only / per
cent of those due to this nat
ural background. 1t has been
estimated, in fact, that the ex-
poSure due to radioactivity
from these tests will be less
than 1-50 of the difference
which can be experienced, due
to variations in natural radio
activity, simply by living in diff
ferent locations in our own
country. This will obviously be
we'll within the guides for gen.
eral population health and
safety, as set by the Federal
Radiation Council: and consid-
erably less than LILO I. l per
cent of the exposure guides set
for adults who work with in
dustrial radioactivity.
Nevertheless I find it deeply
regrettable that any radioac-
tive material must be added
to the atmosphere that even
one additional individuals
health may be risked in the
foreseeable future. And how
ever remote and infinitesimal
those hazards are. judged to
be, I still exceedingly regret
the necessity of balancing
these hazards against the haz-
ards to hundreds of millions
of lives which would be Gre
ated by any relative decline in
our nuclear strength.
No Other Decision Possible
In the absence of a major
shift in Soviet policies, no
American President - respon-
sible for the freedom and safe
ty of so many people-could
in good faith make any other
decision. But because our nu-
clear posture affects the secur-
ity of all Americans and all
free men-because this issue
has aroused such widespread
concern-I want to share with
you and all the world, to the
fullest extent our security per-
mits, all of the facts and
thoughts which have gone into
this decision.
Many of these facts are hard
to explain in simple terms
many are hard to face in a
peaceful world - but these are
facts which must be faced and
must be understood.