ATOM TESTS IN PACIFIC

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27307, 25 March 1954, Page 11

ATOM TESTS IN PACIFIC

Fear Of Possible Consequences

(N.Z. Press Association-— Co-pyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 24. The Manchester Guardian” in a leading article today asked whether it was wise to proceed with the atomic explosions being planned to take place in the Marshall Islands in April. The newspaper expressed apprehension about the possible consequences.

The effects of the explosion in the Marshall Islands on March 1 were evidently very great. In Washington it is openly admitted that the effects were far greater than the scientists expected the newspaper said. “The hvdrogen device detonated on March 1 was described as having a destructive power 600 times greater than the atomic bombs dropped at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

‘lt is appalling to contemplate. The devastation such weapons would cause m war is more than the human mind can readily imagine, but there is an even more immediate question. Do the scientists really know what will happen after the explosions which they are planning to make in the Marshall Islands in April?

“In Washington it has been announced that the device or devices to be detonated then will be four times as powerful as the one exploded on March 1. “How great an area of ocean will be contaminated and how far may waters and fish move? “The scientists are moving now into realms which are unknown, and the consequences of their experiments may be most serious.

“Is it really wise to proceed with these explosions?”