SIR,—Mr. Nicholson takes me to task for saying that if
the NATO forces used tactical weapons it would inevitably lead to large-scale nuclear war and says that he has heard this opinion on innumerable occa- sions. I admit that the word 'inevitable' was illogical, but it was used to convey the sense of 'almost cer- tain.' 1 was in error. But I venture to doubt whether Mr. Nicholson has heard this opinion so many times that they cannot be expressed in a number! I sug- gest that 'inevitable'. and 'innumerable' are equally inexact.
Now for the argument he asks for. which I have frequently published. The Russians attack conven- tionally and we decide to use tactical nuclear weapons. The Russians (perhaps after giving us twelve hours' warning to lay off nuclear weapons) then drop a few tactical weapons on the Rhine bridgeheads; we retaliate with larger ones on the Russian communication centres. The Russians decide to put Antwerp and Cherbourg out of business at the ten kiloton level. . . . What next?
My guess is that long before this either we should have promised not to use nuclear weapons or all become radio-active ashes.—Yours faithfully.
STEPHEN KING-IIALL Hart field House, Headley, Bordon, Hants PS.— Will Mr. Nicholson please tell us what evi- dence he has that our tactical nuclear weapons are 'radioactively clean'?
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