EFFICIENCY DOUBTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27212, 15 October 1949, Page 7

EFFICIENCY DOUBTED

Long-range Atomic Bombing Retired Admiral's Views NZPA—Copyright WASHINGTON, Rec. 9.50 p.m. Oct. 13. No weapon was ever outlawed for humanitarian reasons but only because it was inefficient as exemplified by poison gas, said Admiral Chester Nimitz in a statement read to the House Armed Services Committee, which is investigating defence unification. The former chief of naval operations added that he questioned the efficiency of long-range atomic bombardment. “There can be no doubt that the atom bomb is the most terrible weapon of great destruction ever conceived but that does not make it an efficient weapon of war. It cannot be pinpointed and the chances are that its greatest damage will fall on noncombatants.” Admiral Nimitz said the atom bomb’s most effective and efficient role might be as a major deterrent to Russian aggression. He added that it was necessary to maintain a powerful navy which must be equipped with supercarriers.

Admiral Nimitz was supported by another retired naval leader, Admiral R. A. Spruance, who commanded the Fifth Fleet in the Pacific. Admiral Spruance said that in the event of war .with Russia the navy’s biggest job would be to destroy the Soviet’s submarines. A powerful naval air arm would be needed for that job. Admiral Louis Denfeld, Chief of Naval Operations, characterised the administration of the armed forces unification law by the Defence Secretary, Mr Louis Johnson; as “worse than no unification.”