ARMS CONTROL PROSPECTS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27920, 17 March 1956, Page 9

ARMS CONTROL PROSPECTS

U.S. Has “Reasonable Hopes”

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

(Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 15. The Secretary of Defence (Mr Charles Wilson) said today that he held a “reasonable hope" that the Soviet Union ultimately would negotiate with the United States on disarmament.

Mr Wilson told a Senate Foreign Relations Sub-Committee that there were “some realists" in the Kremlin who knew. a» the United States knew, that there could be no winner in an atomic or hydrogen war.

He was sure there must be “some men of goodwill in Russia, just like there are in this country."

But Mr Wilson made it clear that the United States did not propose to disarm until there was agreement on a plan for safe control.

He said the aerial inspection and exchange of military blueprints proposed by President Eisenhower would be a “good start" and added: "Any system would have to include ground inspection.” . Mr Wilson said the chances of making realistic progress on disarmament with the Russians were enhanced if both parties felt they were ’dealin® from strength.” The recognition of a balance oi military power, he said, would produce best results. _ , Admiral Arthur Radford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the sub-committee that President Eisenhower’s “open skies” proposal would not stop any and all surprise attacks. But he said it would block any launching of any decisive surprise blow. That was the main thing in the atomic age. He said a surprise attack, which did not knock out the victim, would only bring retaliation and self-destruction.