LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Russia and the Bomb
SIR.—When you state that President Truman's decision to make the hydrogen bomb is inevitable, you not only use a word in its wrong sense (for what is inevitable does not come within the realm of decision), but support a policy which must almost inevitably (using the word more correctly) lead to disaster. The hoary fallacy that you can ensure peace by preparing for war simply will not die.
If history teaches anything, it is virtually certain that hydrogen bombs will be used if they are made ; and, if used, bring about the end of this country and most of Western civilisation. The more countries that have them, the more likely they are to be used. If two rival countries have them, they are almost certain to be used ; mutual suspicion and fear will see to that. if one country only has them—even if that country were Russia—their use would be less likely.
But the only right way, and at the same time the only conceivably safe way, is for every country which has any regard for those decencies which alone make human life worth living, to declare that it will not make such diabolical weapons.
If America and Britain made that declaration, it is possible that all other great Powers, including Russia, would do likewise. But if not, and we were subjected by the Power that persisted in making the bomb, we should preserve our souls. But the course you commend must surely mean the destruction of both body and soul in a global Gehenna.—Yours 543 Crookesmoor Road, Sheffield, 10.
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