THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. MONDAY APRIL 1, 1946. Atomic Energy In Peace And War

Northern Advocate, 1 April 1946, Page 4

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. MONDAY APRIL 1, 1946. Atomic Energy In Peace And War

Cable news printed today serves to direct attention to the possibilities, for good or evil, resulting from the discoveries made in regard to atomic energy.

The average man is disposed to think of atomic energy in terms of bombs, the devastating nature of which has been amply demonstrated, though it may be that much more fearsome engines of destruction will yet be evolved from the smashing of the atom, Man has good reason to be concerned about this aspect of a vitally important subject.

It should be remembered, however, that the possibilities of atomic energy as a peaceful agent are occupying the earnest attention of scientists.

Who knows but that the research and discoveries of the late Lord Rutherford, of New Zealand, may prove to have opened the door to the preservation of peace in the world 'and the transformation of conditions of life ?

The atomic bomb, if placed in the sole keeping of an international body as a weapon for disciplining nations whose conduct threatened to provoke a breach of the peace, might conceivably be the strongest factor in the preservation of world order.

On the other hand, the use of atomic energy may transcend all existing forms of energy, and transform utterly the problems of traction and heal.

It is clear from our cable news today that the United States is embarking upon a huge scheme of scient ifir research.

The Navy Department, it is stated, has a 40,000.000.000 dollar peacetime research programme. Included in this programme is am investigation into the use of atomic energy as a means of propelling warships.

If the energy could be harnessed, it would do away with the need for coal or oil as propulsive power, while the vista of possibilities in re-

gard to transport generally is fascinating.

Apparently, investigations have proceeded to an extent which moved Rear-Admiral Harold Bowen to tell members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, that there is the possibility of an atomic-driven battleship in the near future.

According to the Admiral, such a vessel would have a speed hitherto unheard of, and a cruising radius dictated only by the amount of provisions that could be carried. If the predictions of H. D. Wells ■ in respect of tabloid foods should materialise—and that would be no more surprising than the harnessing of atomic energy for propulsive purposes—the atomic-propelled battleship would obviously have a limitless radius!

Admiral Bowen further declared that the United States Navy Department also hopes to develop atomic bomb-carrying planes with speeds exceeding a thousand miles an hour.

The statements attributed to a responsible American officer when addressing leading scientists cannot be brushed aside as the fantasies of a disordered brain. It is therefore cheering to have the assurance of the British Minister for Supply and Aircraft Production that the British Government was losing no time in regard to its atomic energy programme. “We are mobilising the best brains,’’ he said. Then he added the suggestive words: “Maybe we are in sight of the greatest industrial power revolution in the world’s history." though he had previously pointed out that scientists have not yet solved the problem of harnessing the atom's energy to peaceful purposes, and it was doubtful if the developments of the next ten years would have widespread industrial application. Whatever may be the facts, it is clear that the bird is already on the wing.