U.S. SUPER H-BOMB

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27861, 9 January 1956, Page 9

U.S. SUPER H-BOMB

Pacific Test Predicted

WASHINGTON. Jan. 6. The United States Government probably would test super hydrogen bombs in the Pacific this year, with an explosive force of 40.000.000 to 50,000.000 tons of T.N.T., a Congressional authority said today. Such an H-bomb could almost obliterate a big city and spread deadly radio-active “fall-c t” over many thousands of square miles. An official Government announcement of the ne' H-bomb tests is due soon.

It is expected to emphasise the precautions that will be taken to make sure no humans will be hurt as a conseouence of the explosions. President Eisenhower was understood to have given his final approval for the te c ts to the chairman of the Atomic Energv Commission (Mr Lewis Strauss). The authority caid the new tests would be held at the EniwetokBikini proving grounds in the Marshall Islands. , The last tests there in the spring of 1954 were of H-bombs comparable in violence to 15.000.0C0 to 20.000.000 tons Of T.N.T.

Earthquake in Victoria.—A severe earth tremor last night frightened hundreds of people in the Castlemaine area, 74 miles north-west of Melbourne. It lasted nearly 30 seconds. Damage was slight and no-one was injured.—Melbourne. January 6.

The demonstrations were touched off by the resignation of the caretaker Government headed by Ibrahim Hashim.

King Hussein had appointed this Cabinet less than three weeks ago. when he dissolved Parliament after widespread riots against Britain’s proposal that Jordan should join the Bagdad Pact. The Constitutional Council last Wednesday ruled that the King had acted illegally.

When Ibrahim Hashim submitted his resignation to the King after only 18 days in power, the King accepted it, but asked him and his Cabinet to remain in office until a new Government was formed.

Demonstrators roamed the streets of Amman, capital of Jordan, setting fire to an American office and two cars, and stoning police and security forces, according to reports reaching Damascus from Amman. The situation there was reported tonight to be still tense, although troops had not yet intervened.

A general strike was called in Jordan today in protest against the Constitutional Council’s decision this week that King Hussein had acted illegally in dissolving Parliament. The Lower House was dissolved after widespread riots had followed the British proposal that Jordan should join the Bagdad Pact.

Today, shops were closed in all vil lages and towns. Students, schoolboy and girls, demonstrated this morning shouting slogans against the -Bagdai Pact and the Lower House. They de manded a new Lower House repre senting the people.

The demonstrators toured Amms streets and arrived at G’overnmei

House where speeches were made. The Government took measures to guard foreign embassies and legations. Riots in Jerusalem Cairo Radio said that Jordanian demonstrators attacked the American Consulate in Jordan’s sector of Jerusalem. The Israel radio said police fired at demonstrators who tore down and burned an American flag. Israel Radio added that violent antiWestern demonstrations also broke out in Amman, Nablus, and Hebron. Special guards had been placed outside all foreign embassies and legations, which were attacked by rioters last month. Reports reaching Damascus from Jordan said the demonstrators attacked a British bank and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency building m Amman. Windows in the two buildings were smashed and cars parked nearby were set on fire. Smoke clouds drifted over the capital from fires started in different places. Soldiers helped to fight the flames. The Cairo Radio broadcasting from Amman said that the demonstrators, many of them students and young girls, shouted slogans calling for a purge of British officers from the Arab legion, for new elections, for Jordan’s entry into bilateral Arab agreements, and for a national government that would reject foreign pacts. The radio said the demonstrators left a trail of wreckage through Amman and traffic was at a standstill. The city was plunged into darkness when the power was cut off. At least one demonstrator was shot dead by Arab Legion troops. The radio quoted a Jordan Government statement which said that an American “spotter” plane was burned and that an American agricultural experimental office had been set on fire. The Bagdad Radio said that the Lebanese Government of Rachid Kerameh had also resigned.