Montgomery Favours Use Of A-Bomb

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27985, 4 June 1956, Page 11

Montgomery Favours Use Of A-Bomb

(Rec. 8 p.m.)

VICTORIA (British Columbia). June 2. Field-Marshal Viscount Montgomery said yesterday he favoured dropping ar* atomic or hvdrogen bomb at the first outbreak of aggression anywhere in the world regardless of the conseouences.

“If there is any sign of aggression anywhere I would drop an atom bomb. Im for dropping the biggest bomb possible on anybody who commits aggres9on - That's my pholosophy: finish it,’’ be said.

Lord Montgomery’ pointed out that be was not certain that his “political ; nast sr s . would agree with his beliefs, wUt “it's my view as a soldier.”

The wording of the announcement indicated that Mr Molotov would retain his rank as a First Deputy Premier.

Western diplomats in Moscow said the replacement of Mr Molotov was the biggest gesture the Russians could make in their campaign to improve relations with Jugoslavia. It was seen as the limit to which the Kremlin would go to satisfy Marshal Tito, who is believed to have expressed dissatisfaction that a man intimately associated with Stalin in the anti-Jugo-slav campaign should be Foreign Minister.

Diplomats said that although the Jugoslav President was likely to be determined to talk as an independent .equal, Mr Molotov’s removal might make him more amenable than had been expected to suggestions of closer party, political and international aims with Russia.

There is also strong speculation among Western diplomats that Mr Molotov may retain a behind-the-scenes “overlordship” on foreign policy.

News of Mr Molotov’s resignation was published inconspicuously today in “Pravda” and other Soviet newspapers. The official 38-word announcement was tucked away on back pages, taking up less than two inches of space under the heading: “Chronicle.” There was no comment.

Mr Molotov was the last of the Malenkov-Molotov-Beria trio. who took over on Stalin’s death, to retain high office. Mr Malenkov has been demoted from Premier to Minister of Power Stations and Beria was executed for treason.