ATOMIC BOMB CONTROL

Chronicle (Levin), 29 July 1946, Page 2

ATOMIC BOMB CONTROL

RUSSIAN PLAN DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH

Reeeived Sundav, 7 p.m. NEW YOEK, July 2G. Addressing the Atomic Commission's control committee, Mr. Gromvko (Rubsiu) dcscribed the Soviet's proposal for an "interuational coavcutiou outlawing thc production aud use of atomic weapons for purposes of mass j destruction, as being praetical com- j pared with those of otlier countries which might appear radical on the surface but could not carry the world to its goal. Be sju'd it was impossiblc to recoucile the production of atomic weapons with the principle of using atomic energy for peaceful purposes only or with the spirit and principles of United Nations.

The Australian Associated Press says it is understood the United iStEites delegation took the view there was no difl'erenee in principle between the Soviet and United States proposals. Outlawiug atomic weapons was most important and might well be the first thing on which the Oonnnission agreed as a matter of principle, but there apparently was disagreement whether there should be a separate treaty providing only for the outlawiug of atomic weapons. and ending production. Jt still liad to be deeided whether thc treaty should provide for some workEiblo effeetive control plan. The United States delegation and others, including Dr. van Kleffeus (Holland), asked Mr. Gromyko for a further explanatiou of the Soviet plan, hR]T be,m^e ^eet^-pv Mr. Gromyko said the Soviet attached the greatest importance to the international convention proposal to which there were 110 serious obstacles if the countries represented on the Oommis-j sion sincerely wislied to talte praetical steps towards the control of atomic' energy for peaceful purposes. The task was made easier by historie precedents' in which countries had shown they; could conclude conveutions against the; use of weapons such as poison gas. ' Thc General x\sseml)ly had instructed the Commission to ensure that atomic energy -would not be used for mass destruction. Tf uli countries agreed to this, how could production of atomic! weapons be recouciled with this pur-! posc. Whv should the uations produce stockpiles of atomic weapons if all agreed atomic energy should be onlv; used toi- ihe beneiit of niankind? The conc.lusion of the international con-: vention would doubtless make a most iavourable impression on all peace loving States and would promote goodinternational relations. Some details of the convention would possibiv have

to be elaborated by tlie Uoinmissioii. ^fr. Gromyko rciterated the Soviet's adherelice to thc principle of sovereiguty whereby tlie nations themselyes would punish violators witliin their own borders. Dr. vau Ivlefl'ens detailed historie instances in which international conveutions for outlawiug eertaiu weapons and war eonduct, failed, including tlie proliibition of poisoning wells, liring explosive projectiles weighing over 400 grunimes, and duiudum bullcts. Thirtv countries had signed the protocol iii 1 925 jiroliibiting tlie use of gas or bacleria but all niajor States continued to engago in research into these arms aud had great stocks available before and during the recent war. There was! little reasou to expect the mere pro-, hibition of atomic weapons would have! better results. Therefore, the Russian' Pjan ueeded considerable elaboration.' The essenco of the Soviet proposal was to prohibit the production and use of atomic weapons without a simultancous' systeni of international inspection or sanction, unless the Security Council ap proved of its possibility, wliich seeni-! ed remote. " . j - i