ATOMIC ENERGY CONTROL

Chronicle (Levin), 10 March 1947, Page 5

ATOMIC ENERGY CONTROL

Scienti$ts See Danger In , Present Situation MASTER PLANCALLED FOR i Received Sunday, 7 p.iru 1 LONDON,, Majrch. 7. 1 Mr. Bevin will fuid awaiting hina in j -.loscow an urgent communication, from a committee of distinguished Bratish -cientists and politicians,, urging him to raise immed'iately with Marshai Stalin ' and General Marshall. (U.S.A.) vital J questions of agyeement on atomic ' jiiergy and a plan for control which ean ' oe imposed throughont the world, says : deuters di'plomatie correspondent. j The committee dAciares in its state j ment that it believes-, ' "We shal'l face I a desperate world situati'on"' unless strict internationai control is estab- j lished over atomic energy within. the j very near future. It calls for a master j plan that wil'l resolve internationai d-if- . ferences on atomic energy and' be em- j bodied fortliwith in an internationai j convention. , The committee includes the atoiu ; science experts Professors M'. L. Olir: plmnt, 11. E. Peierls, and A. S. Massey, j and also Lord Brabazon, Mr. Clemeni I Davies, M.P., Mr. Rayniond Blackburn, j M.P., Mr. Michael Eoot, M.P., Mr. Har-.| oid Nicholson and M'r. David Grenfell, j t'ormer Secretary of Labour axid Mines. Contending that statements of the Big Three powers on internationai control of atomic energy do not d'iselose any differences in principle which are uecessariiy , insoluble, the committee says Russia has accepted the principle of internationai inspection unhannxered by the veto. Moreover, discussions in the scientilic and' teehnical sub-commit- I tee of United Nations'' Atomic Energy J Commission, cOmposed' by the leading ! scientists of twelve countr.ies, and in j the Securitv Council, have shown that j internationai control is a praetical pos- j sibility. They reveal that the issues ; dividing powers. have been narrowed to three. These issues are: — Eirstly, the time at which a pact prohibiting the manufacture of atomic weapons shall become operative. Secoudly, the time and nature of the stages by which internationai authority is to take control of raw materials and plants. Thirdly, the question as to whether the Securitv Council' 's measures against violators of the control plan shall be j subject to a big poWer veto. ''We believe that these differences ean be resolved by negotiation or by a ! comprehensive plan which, besides ban- I ning atomic weapons from national ■wmouries, establishes an internationai 1 atomic authority,. deftnes its powers of control and inspection, and specifi.es a; timetable for the assumption of tliese powers."