MILITARY VALUE OF ATOM BOMB

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25935, 15 October 1949, Page 7

MILITARY VALUE OF ATOM BOMB

Inquiry Continued In U.S. Cofhgress ADMIRAL NIMITZ CRITICAL

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 13. No weapon was ever outlawed for humanitarian reasons, but only because it wds inefficient, as was exemplified by poison gas. said Admiral Chester Nimitz in a statement read to the House of Representatives'

Armed Services Committee, which is investigating defence unification. Admiral Nimitz, formerly Chief of Naval Operations, added that he questioned the efficiency of long-range atomic bombardment. “There can be no doubt that the atom bomb' is the most terrible weapon of great destruction ever conceived. but that does not make it an efficient weapon of war.’’ he said. “It cannot be pin-pointed, and the chances are that its greatest damage will fall on non-combatants.” Admiral Nimitz said that the most effective role of the atomic bomb might be as a major deterrent to Russian aggression. He added that it was necessary to maintain a powerful navy, which must be equipped with super-carriers. Admiral Nimitz was supported by another retired naval leader. Admiral R. A. Spruance. who commanded the sth Fleet in the Pacific. Admiral Spruance said that in the event of war with Russia the Navy’s biggest job would be to destroy the Soviet’s submarines. A powerful naval air arm would be needed for that job. Admiral Louis Denfeld. Chief' of Naval Operations, characterised the administration pf the armed forces unification law by the Secretary of Defence (Mr Louis Johnson) as ‘‘worse than no unification.”