The Bomb and Peace

Nevada tests of Atom Bomb Number Five have been another step in the rearmament of free nations to curb Soviet aggression wherever it may exist. The Truman Doctrine for the defense of Greece and Turkey, military aid to Franco and Tito, and the establishment of NATO armed forces under General Eisenhower have been earlier steps in this policy of containment.

The United States has repeatedly asserted its opposition to Soviet Communism, and the people of the world have understood this. However, these millions are easily confused by the increasing number and power of the weapons of aggression which the United States has built for itself. This nation has failed to emphasize that its opposition to aggression is accompanied by a positive stand--the United States wants peace.

Such emphasis is very necessary when a country is still fighting a war after its troops have advanced beyond pre-battle boundaries, when a record peacetime arms budget has been passed by its lawmakers, when Atom Bomb Number Five has become such a common-place reality that the country's tourists are attracted to it.

At last there are signs of a positive emphasis. The new American peace offensive is expected to include proposals for world disarmament, or, at least, the important requisite for disarmament-an arms census. Thus the United States has discovered that war involves something more than power factors. The preamble to the Charter of UNESCO begins, "Since war begins in the minds of men ..." The compromises of the diplomats at the Paris meeting of the General Assembly will be observed indirectly by hundreds of millions, not by a few dozen delegates. This world audience must become as impressed with the United States' peace-loving mentality as with this nation's war-like arm of strength. These millions must be impressed with the difference between the Western meaning of "peace" and phony misleading "peace" which Russia advertises.

It is difficult to predict the result of this new offensive. If, in spite of the tremendous odds against a Russian agreement to an arms census, disarmament did take place, there would be a great saving in money and human life--and Atom Bomb Number Forty-Seven would never be exploded.