USE OF ATOM BOMB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27572, 14 December 1950, Page 7

USE OF ATOM BOMB

Clearer Definition Sought From Mr Attlee New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 9.59 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 13. Leading morning newspapers in editorials today joined the chorus of members of the House of Commons in expressing dissatisfaction over the statement of the Prime Minister, Mr Attlee, about his discussions with President Truman on the use of the atom bomb. The Times said the statement did not answer those of all parties who urged that the bomb be used only on the authority of the United Nations or after full consultation with friendly Powers.

Mr Attlee told the House of Commons yesterday, a few hours after his return from the United States, that he was fully satisfied with his talks with President Truman on the subject of the atom bomb. “I would ask the House to accept my assurance that there is no difference between us on this vital matter,” Mr Attlee said.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Churchill, said that some clearer definition of the extremely important issue of the use of the atom bomb should be available before Parliament debated the question on Thursday. The Labour member, Mr Frederick Jones, asked whether Britain would be consulted and its approval necessarily obtained atom bomb would be used ,in any military action. Mr Attlee told him to “ wait for the debate.’’ The Daily Mail this morning says that because Britain would be the prime target in an atomic war she had the paramount right not only to be informed but also consulted before a decision to use the atom bomb was made. "It may not have been expedient for Mr Attlee to disclose every detail of what he agreed with the President but a broad outline at least should be given to the public." The Daily Telegraph says the public would like to know the basis of Mr Attlee’s satisfaction. Mr Attlee reported to the King and called a Cabinet meeting within two hours of his arrival. His audience with the King lasted 45 minutes. Review of Talks The Prime Minister told the House of Commons that the atmosphere of the Washington talks was both frank and friendly. He believed that such meetings between the President of the United States and the British Prime Minister served not only a mutual interest, but also the interest' of the whole world. “We covered a wide range ot topics political, military, and economic, and I believe we made progress on all of them,” Mr Attlee stated. “I had no hesitation in stating the British position in all these matters with the utmost frankness. Our object was to

reach the greatest possible identity of view in our approach to these matters, and we achieved this in a very large measure.

“ On Korea and the Far East we have agreed on the immediate course our representatives at the United Nations should follow. We were agreed that aggression must be halted, and we were equally certain that every effort should be made to prevent an extension of the conflict.” Mr Attlee said that their longrange objective was to reach a stable position in the Far East. With regard to the campaign in Korea, Mr Attlee said: “ It is clear that the general directives of the United Nations have been followed.” On the different attitudes of Britain and America on the recognition of the Chinese Communist Government and the Chinese representation in the United Nations, the Prime Min'ster said: “We did not expect that these differences could be resolved in discussions lasting only a few days." Defence Of Atlantic Mr Attlee said that the defence of the west remained the first task of ad members of the Atlantic community He said he was convinced that in the present circumstances the proposed early appointment of a supreme commander in the west could do more than anything else to accelerate progress in strengthening western defences. He said that the overriding purpose of his talks with President Truman had been to prevent war. He said that while in Washington he kept in close touch with representatives of other Commonwealth Governments. The Lord Privy Seal, Lord Addison, read the Prime Minister’s statement to the House of Lords, and afterwards it was agreed that it should be debated on Thursday.