ATOMIC ENERGY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24905, 19 June 1946, Page 7

ATOMIC ENERGY

UNITED STATES PLAN APPROVAL BY BRITISH NEWSPAPERS (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 17. The British press welcomes the American plan for the control of atomic energy. “Let us not under-estimate the exceptional moral quality of this plan,” says the “News-Chronicle.” "Never before in all history has a nation offered to relinquish voluntarily a decisive weapon—a weapon in evil hands at this moment would give total dominion throughout the globe. The United States has now done all that could be asked of her We hope that other nations will be quick to express their official approval.” "The Times.” which also praises the plan and points out that it has the full approval of the recently-formed Association of Atomic Scientists, says: "This is a clear challenge to international statesmanship to take a bold step forward —a step, be it noted, in the direction of world government, which was an instinctive demand from so many when the danger first ap peared.” . ~ , The "Manchester Guardian,” which describes the plan both as idealistic and realistic also emphasises that the Atomic Development Authority might become eventually the effective seat of a world government “We all know how far we are from being prepared in mind for that great plan.” says the paper. “Prepared or not. it is a plea we have to make. It is the only way out. It may come to grief in some manner not vet foreseen, but at least we shall avoid the certainty of utter disaster which will quickly overtake us if we stick where we are. obsessed with the rights of -stations, perhaps signing pacts and outlawing the use of atomic bombs for war. but stocking our arsenals with them all the same in case other nations should use them first”