A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
THE CAPTURE by Chinese Communists of a small, outlying island of the Tachen archipelago revives in my mind a chimeri- cal theory about the possible use of small-scale atomic weapons as deterrents. Supposing the Nationalists had addressed their adversaries in the following terms : 'We regard this island as our territory. It does not for various reasons suit us to main- tain there a garrison adequate for its defence, but we have concealed upon the island a small atomic charge which, should you occupy the place, we shall detonate by remote control.' A warning of this kind will always confront a Power which contemplates aggression with an awkward decision; and though an island is a particularly suitable setting for the gambit, it would work just as well in ports, mountain passes, bridgeheads or any other form Of bottleneck. The would-be aggressor would admittedly look rather a fool if he respected the warning and found out afterwards that no atomic charges had in fact been laid in his path; but he would look in some ways a bigger fool if he ignored it and had each of his spear- head divisions blown to pieces while consolidating after an unopposed advance to their first objectives.
* * e *
Previous page
