IT BROUGHT THE END

Evening Star, Issue 25564, 17 August 1945, Page 11

IT BROUGHT THE END

AMERICA'S ATOMIC BOMB DECISION TO USE WE AT POTSDAM CHURCHILL DISCLOSES REASONS FOR ULTIMATUM (Ree. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON. Aug. 16. "It is to the atomic bomb more than any other factor that we must ascribe the sudden and swift ending of the war," said Mr Churchill, speaking in the House of Commons in the Address-in-Reply Debate. " News of the test of the atomic bomb in the Mexican desert reached Potsdam on July 17," he ' said. " Success beyond all dreams had crowned this sombre, magnificent venture of our American allies. We possessed powers which were irresistible. President Truman and myself took the decisipn to use the atomic bomb at Potsdam and approved military plans to unchain the dread, pent-up force. From that moment the outlook on the future was transformed. " President:Truman informed. Generalissimo Stalin that we contemplated using an explosive of incomparable power against the Japanese, and added that before using the bomb it would he necessary to send an ultimatum to tun Japanese. No 'doubt the assurances wo gave the Japanese about their futiiro after unconditional surrender were generous, to a point when we remember

the cruel and treacherous nature of their utterly unprovoked attacksagainst [Britain and America, and must, be considered magnanimous in a high degree. We felt, in view of the near and fearful changes of war .in the power about to be employed, that an inducement to surrender should be put before them. We owed this to our conscience before using this awful weapon." Mr Churchill said he could not agree with those who felt the atomic bomb should never have been used. "Six years of total war have convinced most people that had the Germans and Japanese discovered the weapon they would have used it to our complete destruction with the utmost alacrity. Future generations will judge our dire decision. 1 believe if they find themselves dwelling in a happier world from which war has been banished, they will not condemn those who struggled for their benefit amid the horrors and miseries of this grim, ferocious epoch."

Mr Churchill expressed entire agreement with President Truman's view that the secret should not be turned over at present to any other country. " This is not a desire for arbitrary power, but for the common safety of the world. Nothing can stay the research experiments of any country, and no doubt research is proceeding in many places, but the construction of immense plants necessary to transform theory into action cannot be provided in every country. For this and other reasons the United States stands on the summit of the world. I rejoice that this is so. Let the Americans act to the level of their power and responsibility. " So far as we know, there will lip perhaps three or four years h'efore their great progress can lie overtaken. In those three or four years we must in such a way that they will not wish remodel ou.r relations with other men