Wanton Act of Barbarism Alleged

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 280, 27 November 1945, Page 5

Wanton Act of Barbarism Alleged

Destruction of Japanese Scientific Apparatus

(By Telegraph-—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Received Monday, 8.5 p.m. NEW YORK, Nov. 25. Japanese equipment capable of maxing atomic bombs was destroyed by Allied troops yesterday. United States marines, armed with dynamite, sledgehammers and crowbars, raided tne Universities of Osaka, Kyoto ana Tokio, where cyclotrons (atom smasners) and a giant magnet were destroyed. The smashed equipment will be dumped into the sea. The destruction was in furtherance of General MacArthur’s directive that Japan’s war potential must he destroyed.

The executive committee of the Association of Oakridge Scientists at Clinton Laboratory issued a statement: ‘ ‘ The destruction of the J apanese cyclotrons was wanton and stupid to the point of being a crime against mankind and analogous to the burning oi the Louvain Library by the Germans. The cyclotron is a scientific instrument to discover the fundamental facts or Nature and is in no way a bomb producer. Long before VE Day, theJapanese had abandoned their atomic energy efforts. The action will be condemned by all intelligent people throughout the world and the officials responsible must be called to account for their act of pillage.” Dr. R. S. Stone, radiology professor at California University, said: ‘‘Tne destruction simulates the barbarism of uncivilised peoples in trying to destroy the advancement of science in other countries. ’ ’ ,

Dr. Milton Burton, chemistry professor at Notre Dame University, said:

‘ ‘ Such destruction is either a wellcalculated extension of army security measures into the postwar world or is based on strength, ignorance, wantonness and almost inconceivable immorality.”

Dr. Charles Coryall, i professor oi chemistry at California University, said: ‘‘The tragedy of these acts is that the American people, particularly scientists, never live them down. General MacArthur has violated the principles of his Tokio Harbour surrender speech and made an empty shell of the sacred trust of atomic energy whiefi Mr. Truman says we guard. ’ ’