Sharing Atomic Secrets With Britain

Chronicle (Levin), 30 July 1949, Page 5

Sharing Atomic Secrets With Britain

WARHINGTON, .Tuly 28. The Recretary of Rtate (Mr. Acheson 1 outlined a plan for eonducting exploratory diseussion in the atomic energy field with Britain and Canada to a meeting of the .Toint Congressional Cominitee on Atomic Energy. The meeting was also attended by the Recletary of Defence (Mr. Louis Johnsoni. A sfatement issued by Renator Brien McMahon ("Democrat, /""onnecticutl, hairman of the committee, said that Mr. Acheson liad pointed out that these (iiscussions would gain time in which executive and legislative branches of Ihe Government might consult furtliev with each other. NTr. Acheson explained that the talks between the three countries would aequaint each with the otliers' point of view and permit all concerned to proceed with added perspeetive. The sfatement said: ''As had been explained to the committee previouslv agreement would be concluded and ]}> change whatsoever in existing arrangements would be made until the n-sults of the talks had been made known to, and discnssed with, the joint committee. "At that time it could be determined what Congressional action was iM'eded. ' ' The sfatement said Mr. Acheson exnhiined that he, Mr. .Tohnson, and the Niomie Energy Commission had care1'nlly reviewed the problems involved' and had consulted with Mr. Truman. The questions under consideration are reported to liave involved sharing ihe T'nited Rtates atomic technique v. ith Britain and Canada and an assurance that America would continue to gef raw materials necessarv to carry m its vast atomic. enterprise. The T'nited Rtates is now largely diqiendent on Britain and Canada for ils supplies of uranium.