HYDROGEN BOMB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27311, 10 February 1950, Page 7

HYDROGEN BOMB

PRESIDENT'S DECISION

IMPUCATIONS SURVEYED.

NZP A—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. NEW YORK, Feb. 8. The political and international implications of President Truman’s decision to develop the hydrogen bomb are. surveyed by the nationally circulating Newsweek in the issue being published tomorrow. Under the heading, “Hydrogen Age Whither America” Newsweek says: “The Russians already have the greatest army, air force, and underseas fleet in the world. If they could gain atomic supremacy as well—and by default at that—there would be nothing to stop them conquering- the world. They are fully capable of building the hydrogen bomb. There is nothing to deter them building it. “The iron men behind the Iron Curtain do not have any of the moral qualms that have troubled so many Americans since Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The deadly fear that haunts Harry Truman is that Russia has already started work on the bomb. Another Newsweek article _ says: “Americans find themselves running in the greatest armaments race of all time. Mr Truman’s order to continue work on the hydrogen bomb chilled many for it meant that the atomic arms race was being stepped up. Nevertheless, the prevailing view was that we still had a secure lead and time to manoeuvre. Klaus Fuchss arrest in London shattered all such illusions. Americans eventually may decide to make the sacrifices necessary to keep up with the Russians (m military production), but they will not like the idea. ... “ The prospect for Americans of living under war economy in peacetime would be repulsive, yet, as the arms race becomes' more intense, tne Americans may find themselves with no alternative.” . ... ~ Newsweek, after saying that all efforts to bring an agreement with Russia, including appeasement and cajolery, had failed, added: Last week, for the first time, some members of Congress were beginning to speculate on what formerly had been an almost forbidden subject—a preventive war. Their idea was that, perhaps, the only Way was simply to hand Russia an ultimatum—either agree on international controls, or else.