Wells Foretold Atomic Bomb Thirty-one Years Ago

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 189, 11 August 1945, Page 5

Wells Foretold Atomic Bomb Thirty-one Years Ago

SCIENTISTS MAY DEMAND INTERNATIONAL CONTROL

(Special Correspondent.) Received Friday, 7.50 p.m. LONDON, August 10. Mixed feelings continue in London regarding the atomic bomb. Thoughts have turned to H. G. Wells, now 79 years old and temporarily confined to his bed where, it is said, he is reading avidly all the newspaper reports on the bomb. His book “The World Set Free” is recalled, and although it was written 31 years ago, he foretold what would happen when the atomic bomb —his own phrase—was released. The Daily Express and Daily Herald reprinted an extract from this book, declaring Wells to be the world’s outstanding imaginative thinker. It is reported that British scientists will meet soon in London to discuss the implications of the atomic bomb, and it is stated that one of the first results of their talks will be the strongest possible plea for “proper and rigid” international control of all future uses of atomic energy. It is believed likely that the British Government will be asked to initiate in conjimction with the other Allied Powers the immediate establishment of an international organisation which will be charged with exercising such control. Scientists may ask for at least 50 per cent, representation on such a body. A plea that the Atomic bomb be placed in the same category as poisongas and its further use as a war weapon banned is made in a letter to Mr. Attlee from Drs. A. M. Chirgwin and Sidney Berry, chairman and secretary respectively of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. The letter said: “The supreme task of statesmanship in the future is obviously to protect humanity from such devastating instruments of destruction. It is our deep conviction that any steps taken in that direction will be gravely embarrassed by the use of such a weapon in the present conflict. ’ ’