DEBATE ON NEW ATOM TESTS SPLITS TOP U.S. OFFICIALS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP64B00346R000300210001-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 19, 2004
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 4, 1962
• Content Type: NSPR

AA J F 4 /1 XD X0_o3d ooo1-9
Debate on New Atom Tests
Splits Top U. S. Officials
Powerful Forces on Both Sides Seek to
Persuade Kennedy, Who Must Decide
Whether to Resume Aerial Shots
By HANSON W. BALDWIN
A bitter behind-the-scenes, Opponents of atmospheric
struggle about the resumption)
of atmospheric nuclear tests Is
being fought in Washington.
President Kennedy has or-
dered necessary preparations
`made that would permit test-
ing, presumably this spring,
off Hawaii, at Johnston Island
and perhaps at British-owned
Christmas Island. But he has
reserved final decision, and the
capital is riven by a great de-
bate between opponents of re-
sumed testing and proponents
of it.
Scientists, members of the
White House executive staff,
the State Department, the
United States Information
Agency, the Pentagon and the
Central Intelligence Agency
and particularly its new chief,
Il;; is ,, g on ift
world public opinion or both.
sumed testing is almost vital
nation.
sion's announcement Friday of a
Soviet underground test is ex-
rages. Joint Task Force Eight,
under its field commander, Maj.
Gen. Alfred D. Starbird, is be-
ing formed, and ships, planes
and men assigned to their du-
ties.
000,000 is earmarked for the
task force, and a program of
tests, to start apparently in
early spring and to continue
ATOM TESTS IN AIR:
THE GREAT DEBATE
Feeling High as Both Sides
Await Kennedy Decision
Continued From Page 1, Col. 7
possibly into early summer, is
being drawn up. But the final
"Go" or "No-Go" signal has not
by the President. . 11 -J
have presented their views toI
ing their respective viewpoints.
testing are many scientists, in-
cluding the President's scien-
tific adviser, Dr. Jerome B.
Wiesner; Adlai E. Stevenson,
chief United States delegate to
the United Nations; the State
Department; the United States
Information Agency; " and ap-
parently most of the Presi-
dent's special assistants in the
eluding Dr. Edward Teller,
Chiefs of Staff and most of the
military services; the Atomic
tN ,. l ontlnued on Page :E, Column 4
the Joint Committee on Atomic
Energy, and Mr. McCone.
Proponents declare that an
an analysis of the Soviet series
of more than fifty tests shows
tremendous scientific, techno-.
logical and weapons progress,
and that unless the United
States resumes atmospheric
tests soon its past advantage
in nuclear weapons and in de-
livery capabilities may be neu-
tralized or overcome and its
security imperiled. They add
that nuclear tests can lead to
new and unknown develop-
ments.
Personal and emotional fac-!
tors have added to the heat oft
the debate.
The more than fifty tests of
all types the Russians conducted
last fall have become a power-
ful, though apparently not yet
a conclusive, argument for the;
resumption of atmospheric;
testing. An analysis of the So-
viet tests was made by a com-
mittee of scientists, headed by
Dr. Hans A. Bethe of Cornell
University.
Evaluation by McCone
Later, another evaluation was I
presented by Mr. McCone, who
was sworn in last Nov. 29 and)
who was confirmed Wednesday'
as director of the Central In-
telligence Agency.
The C. I. A. presentation ap-
parently viewed the Soviet
progress in considerably
stronger terms than did the
earlier scientific analysis, al-
though both were impressed
with the evident nuclear prog-
ress made by the Russians.
The Soviet tests showed, ac-
cording to most experts:
-Tremendous laboratory
progress in the more than three
years of test cessation.
-Considerable progress in
the development of a warhead
for an anti-ballastic missile.
-Major development of
lighter and more compact
to
weapons. The Soviet yield--
weight ratio - the packaging
d
of high power into smaller an;
lighter weapons 8 is now ad-'
judged to be about equal to
the United States'. This is of
high importance in the develop-
ment of se6ond and third gener-
ation missiles. The tests indi-
cated considerable Soviet prog-
ress toward the development of
compact, solid-fueled missiles
like the Minuteman, and hence
an increase in missile striking
power and a reduction in vul-
nerability.
-Major progress in develop-
ment of s. whole family of new
nuclear weapons - both tacti-
cal and strategle.
Importance of Issues
volved in the decision of the
testing insist that renewe'i at-
mospheric tests are technically
unnecessary, despite the great
and that test resumptiuns
would offend world public opin-
ion and would imperil all at-
mosphere.y They describe, the!
ing as "immoral."
the-
Those opposed to above-
ground testing are well Organ-
ized and vocal. They have al-
ready s'taged a number of dem-
onstrations in Washington, New
York, the United Nations head-
quarters in New York and else-
where.
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP64B00346R000300210001-9
 fissionabletlmaterihaJQft~/ FilaQQ~001breed inepast nuclear
trigger a fusion re.-act on. The 'rig p +e ti make. it, almost certain biggest Soviet test detonation, nuclear testing have 'nogt V. Clifton.
n the ` that the new 'weapons will
n
i
y
which was calculated at a yield changed. Moreover, ma
' None of the names suggested
lot more than fifty-five mega- academic and scientific commu have been accepted as yet by function as eaid ed, but as one
"I would cer-
skesman saki
, tons, released a far smaller nity, who oppose him on the Mr. McCone, who is believed to
,amount of fission products into nuclear test issue, regard Mr. 1favor a top-notch military man try sleep better at alight"
the atmosphere than the United McCone as biased and "unjudi- in his early fifties who would if the major weapons were
States had anticipated. More fu- cious." Dr. George T. Kistia- devote the rest of his career to proof-tested.
sion and less fission in a weaponkowsky of Harvard University, the C. I. A. Three names spec- The military also point out
I could mean in time not only jformer science adviser to Presi- ulatively mentioned as suitable, that only one out of the more
more but also cheaper weapons, dent Eisenhower, headed a by Mr. McCone's yardstick, for than 170 tests conducted by the
since fusion materials are far group to the White House that the job are those of Vice Ad- United States since World War
less expensive and more plenti- opposed Mr. McCone's appoint- I miral John T. Hayward, Deputy the has been. accomplished by
ful than fissionable ones. ment as C.I.A. director. Chief of Naval Operations for the military who are expected
An Arm
-
In snort, the Russian teals tended that his business con- force preparing for tests, or'
y "
appear to sum up to a conclu- nections led to conflicts of in- Mai clear round from a 280-min. gun
_r . Gen. Andrew J. Goodpast- - - ,,.?..a i
rT-
n
ficials that the United States Democratic liberals, including -Eisenh vaaa some years ago. An other
no longer has assurance that it Dwight D. ower's White tests have been under the Atom-
some close to the President, House aides, now Commander,
has a major technological lead were also said to be opposed is Energy Commission auspi-
Infantry Division
of the
Germany. ces. Many of the military would
in atomic weapons. to Mr. McCone because his Pa- in
.
hy was far more like to include in any test pro-
Some military men are fur- litical
hiloso
p
p
Ither worried by some evidence conservative than theirs. Studying Agency gram a series of operational de-
of Soviet rocket acheivements tonations of existing weapons
that the United States has not Bitter Opposition Still another, whose name b military personnel.
yet matched. The United States These forces, focused by the has been mentioned as a cos- by sibility is Gen. Cortlandt Van' However, the present guide-
;believes that it is, still ahead nuclear test issue, led to some Rensaaelaer Schuyler, retired, lines for the tests world ag-
of the Soviet Union in numbers ;bitter but ineffective opposition who has been an executive as- parently limit them to experi-
of intercontinental ballistic mss- to the McCone appointment. sistant to Governor Rockefeller mental and developmental de-
les. What some officials describe as but who is now a member of an tonations and to compress them
But the Russians have far the most severe press attacks organization committee ap in number, in time, in total
more missiles of 700-mile to upon any official since those pointed by Mr. McCone that isl yield and in release of radio-
to 1,100-mile range, capable launched upon the late James studying the Central Intelli- activity. The tests would in-
of striking American allies and Forrestal, first Secretary of D Bence Agency. clude sizable explosions at very
:overseas bases. And they have fense, were published by one Thus Mr. McCone's own ap high altitudes, which would be
apparently fired salvoes of as columnist. But Mr. McCone had of importance in the develop-
and
I
A
to the C
.
.
.
the
ment of an anti ballistic mis-
,powerful bipartisan support in'
the appointment of a deputy
th
it
i
f
h
e
s
e and in determ
nation o
t
e
Congress particularly in
, many as ten to twenty of these have become involved directly
Joint Atomic Energy Commit- effect of such explosions upon
!missiles in tests, something the tee. and indirectly in the broad is radar and radio.
United States has never done, sue of nuclear testing.
and which it is not equipped Senator Henry M. Jackson, Other Tests Planned
Democrat of Washington, a Another part of the debates
to do. member of both the Armed is how much and what to test. Other tests to develop im-
proponents of the re- Man of proved safety devices and to
The
Services and Atomic Energy Y the scientists who e-
sumption of atmospheric nu- Committees, and a strong sup- lieve resumption of testing is I reduce the size and weight of
clear testing base their argu- porter both of Mr. McCone and necessary would like to limit warheads are tentatively
I ments in large part upon these of the resumption of atmos- the tests to developmental and planned. The plans apparently
evidences of Soviet progress. pheric tests, noted during the experimental ones, and would contemplate the use of British-
t.ests hold that . underground confirmation debate that some exclude as technologically and owned Christmas island for
tests are limited to small ex of those who opposed the new' militarily unnecessary the tests! some observers believe that if
plosions and are too slow, too C. I. A. director did so "becaus of existing nuclear weapons, or the island is used, the A.dmin-
lexpens innstrustru ive ment and and too that difficult to of his hard, tough policy to- any operational tests by thel istration and the Joint Com-
some of 1 ward the Soviet Union, partic- military. mittee on Atomic Energy will
the most important weapons ef- ularly on nuclear testing." Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, chair- have to interpret the atomic
fects cannot be studied except With Mr. McCone's confir. man of the Atomic Energy energy law liberally to allow
by atmospheric tests. mation, this phase of the be- Commission, took this position the British to monitor and re-
The United States has re- hind-the-scenes struggle is now last year in a recommendation cord test results.
:umed underground testing centered on a selection of a to the President, and apparent- At the moment the betting
since the Russians resumed deputy director of the Central ly other members of the A.E.C. tin Washington is that the Pres-
,grongund in and has Nevada a exploded under- Intelligence Agency, a Presiden- agree with him. However some ident will allow preparations
gro total of, tial appointment. The law does scientists in the A.E.C. disagree. for the tests to continue but
about fifteen small-yield de not require the deputy to be a In fact, there is a split on this may defer or cancel them at
vices. Not all of these have !issue both in the scientific f
been, announced. At least one military man, but it does re- the last moment. However,
quire either the director or the !community and in the military. there is powerful support in
of the devices tested was a deputy to be a civilian. c The Joint Chiefs of Staff the Joint Committee on Atomic
small Army tactical weapon for were unanimously in favor last Energy for resumed testing.
battlefield use. Military Appointee year of operational testing of And three books - all sched-
Ancillary Debates Both the Joint Chiefs of St~.ff many existing weapons and luled to be published soon, and
Involved in the major debate and the Senate Armed Services weapons systems, but some mil- all expected to support a re-
about nuclear testing are two Committee have urged a mili- itary men in the Pentagon and tests--may
ancillary debates. tary man. s see no le WI 4,4e on
the b,
i teakThe authors are
One revolves around Mr. Mc- The recommendations of
around r. Me Joint Chiefs of Staff inch formRx chair-
Atomic Energy Commission. liam W. Quinn, Deputy Dirft- 4Rti'e Im W -the the Atomic Energy
Mr. McCone, as director of the tor of the Defense Intelligent ftR ut
> sslona r feller eapolk A. E. C., took a firm stand in Agency; Lieut. Gen. Arthur s e d a t e by i be e~cli i irk" the E.' 0. Law
vita
avar of nuclear testing. The Trudeau, Chief of Research and
!f1'a I. o is not a 'policy-making fore the test st ec~? sense Radiation Laboratory at
ry point out that Berkeley, Calif., and Lieut. Gen.
and Vice Admira 'Ph
Development
ilit
,
a
m
agency, but Mr. McCone de Charles B. Martell, Deputy l Issslie R. Groves, retired, who
it clear to Senator Richa B. rector of Research and Engi- 'many of the existing eve )3tt its headed the Army's retired,
Russell, chairman of the Armed neering. in the country's nuclear stock- project, which developed the
Services Committee, in conhec- White House sources, bowev- pile, including newest tactical atomic bomb during World
Lion with his confirmation clear- Jer have suggested a civilian weapons and missile warheads, War II.
ngs, that be wa d not - oI- have never been proof-tested. ------
unteer" opinions J&~tprVN dF& le{fiWa 4/~3 '~ I s48O_4$46R@O? tY 10001-9
!,policy, but if asked, he would
"feel free" to give his "per-
sonal views."