First published in The Age on September 26, 1949
WORLD ROUSED BY RUSSIAN BOMB
Prompt Action by Britain and U.S.A
"The Age" Special Correspondent and A.A.P.
The blast at the Semipalatinsk Test Site.
The fateful news that Russia has succeeded in producing her first experimental atomic weapon comes at a time when the 31-year-old negotiations about international control of atomic energy have reached a deadlock.
In Washington the U.S. Secretary of State (Mr. Dean Acheson) said the United States was still determined to do everything in its power toward truly effective international control of atomic energy.
The military correspondent of the London "Sunday Express" says Britain and the United States acted swiftly following the news. "The centre of global strategic planning has shifted to the Arctic," he says.
The "Sunday Express" writer says: "British observers, including R.A.F. experts, already have been sent north to carry out recordings in connection with nuclear fission disturbance.
"Royal naval ships shortly will be detached for Arctic patrol to report any unusual scientific data. Each ship will be equipped for recording radioactivity."
A map showing the approximate location of the explosion – From The Age published in 1949.Credit:The Age Archives
"The work of the R.A.F. and the United States Air Forces will be more closely linked and greater use will be made of American bases in Greenland for experimental flights.
"An immediate meeting of American and British Chiefs of Staff will be held, after which there will be a meeting of Atlantic Pact Chiefs of Staff. Atom scientists will attend these meetings."
The "Sunday Dispatch" says the next steps to be taken by the Western Powers will be to increase stockpiling of atom bombs in the United States and co-operate more closely in atomic research and the sharing of atomic secrets.
Stockpiling of atom bombs in Britain under American control also may be reviewed.
A Washington despatch states that the United States navy will carry out large-scale aircraft-carrier exercises off the coast of Virginia tomorrow in an effort to prove that the aircraft carrier is a powerful weapon in atomic warfare.
The navy plans a day of simulated combat operations.
The taskforce will comprise the large carriers Franklin D. Roosevelt and Midway, the light carrier Mindoro, two cruisers, 12 destroyers and a radar picket.
Many high defence authorities will watch the operations.
The American Associated Press correspondent in Moscow says observers believe there is now a chance of arranging a meeting on the abolition of atomic weapons and setting up controls.
The official Soviet news agency, Tass, yesterday announced that Russia had the secret of the atom bomb since 1947 and added that her knowledge gave not the slightest ground for alarm.
It said Russia would maintain her position in favor of prohibition of use of atomic weapons.
"Scientific circles in the United States," it said, "took for bluff Mr. Molotov's statement on October 6, 1947, that the secret was non-existent. However, they were mistaken, since the Soviet possessed the secret in 1947."
Tass made the announcement in connection with "alarm among broad social circles," which followed the United States, British and Canadian announcements on Friday that an atomic explosion had occurred in Russia.
It continued: “In the Soviet, building work on a large scale is in progress on hydro-electric stations, mines canals and roads, which evoke of necessity large-scale blasting work, with the latest technical means.
“Pretty frequently in various parts of the country it is possible that this might draw attention beyond the confines of the Soviet.
“The United States had considered that the Russians could not possess the atomic weapon earlier than 1952."
Tass added: "There is not the slightest cause for the alarm that is being spread by certain foreign circles.
"Control of the atomic weapon will be essential to check up on fulfilment of a decision on prohibition of production of the atomic weapon."
Sure Ground
Mr. Dean Acheson said Mr. Truman made his announcement that Russia had the bomb as soon as he was completely sure of the ground on which he stood.
Mr. Acheson paused considerably when asked if it was the United States which discovered the explosion or some other nation; then he replied that he believed it was the United States.
Top U.S. diplomats said the development would drive the United States and her Atlantic Pact allies into an even closer military, economic and political partnership.
Faith in U.N.O Against Power of Atom Bomb
Sydney – Sunday – Dr. H. Evatt (Minster for External Affairs) said today that war rather than the atomic bomb was the real cause for fear.
Dr. Evatt was speaking in the Methodist church, Waverley.
“The enemy that must be fought is not the particular weapon used, but war itself,” Dr. Evatt said.
“There are rules of justice which should be used to prevent war.
“The United Nations Organisation stands for peace and for a system by which peace can be obtained.
“My faith in the United Nations is firm and unwavering. As President Truman has stated, U.N. is the chief bulwark of the peoples of the world against war.
“If atomic energy could be adopted for power development we would see mankind raised to a standard of living unknown,” said Dr. Evatt.
Source: Read Full Article