U.S.A. SPEEDS UP ON ATOMIC FRONT DIPLOMATIC WAR-

Grey River Argus, 30 September 1949, Page 5

U.S.A. SPEEDS UP ON ATOMIC FRONT DIPLOMATIC WAR-

WASHINGTON, Sept 28. United States atomic energy officials to-day decided that more American atomic bombs must be made to meet the situation resulting from the Russian atomic explosion. The atomic Energy Commission and Joint Congressional Atomic Energy Committee at a closed meeting, agreed that the homo Huck pile must be increased and more uranium ore must be mined in the United States. Other scientists now working for private institutions must be asked to join the atomic bomb project. Senator Brien McMahon, chairman of the committee, said there was general agreement that the United States must increase her facilities. Senator McMahon said the commission and the committee would discuss at later meetings the possibility of amending the Atomic Energy Act so that Britain and Canada could join in the atomic energy developments in the United States. The meetings would formulate plans to ensure that the United States maintained and increased its present superiority in the atomic field. Another joint meeting will be held tomorrow.

Mr Janies Webb, Acting Secretary of State .disclosed to-day that the British, Canadian and United States atomic energy representative- are discussing the effects of the Russian atomic explosion. He said the Russian achievement “emphasised the need for rational and economical utilisation of the materials and techniques available to Britain, Canada ami the 'united State-'.”

The managing director of the Belgian Mining Union left Brussels today for the United States to discuss a new agreement for the sale of Congo uranium ore. BERLIN, Sept 28.

A big anti-atom training programme would shortly begin for the whole of the United States Army, and American Army officer said to-night. A team of military and civil experts in chemical warfare would arrive from the United States to plan instruction for individual defence against atom bomb blast. The schooling programme would include lessons on the effects of radiation and what to do for protection against it. LABOUR M’s.P. SEEK END TO ATOMIC DEADLOCK LONDON, Sept 28. Forty Labour Members of Parliament put forward a motion asking the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. C. Att- /• r. 4o initiate a conference with President Truman and M. Stalin to i esolve the deadlock on atomic energy. The motion reads: “That this House, while it appreciates the great eoniriruiion made oy the Prime Minister and the Government to the cause of international control of atO'.’ic energy, reaffirms its belief that the Prime Minister should take the initiative in proposing a conference between the heads of the States concerned, particularly the United States and the U.S.S.P. for resolving the existing deadloci and thus ending race for the production of atomic and other weapons of mass destruction ”

The 40 signatories represent all sections of the Labour Party from the Right to the Left wing. They are headed by Captain Raymond Blackburn. In 1945 he told the House of Commons that Mr Churchill and the late President Roosevelt reached a secret, agreement on atomic energy at Quebec, in 1942. The signatories include three members of the Labour Party national executive. Another signatory is Mr Tom O’Brien, a member of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress. The signatories are expected to press for an opportunity to debate their motion and meanwhile will seek to add to their members.