The Hydrogen Bomb
The realities of the capacity of the atomic bomb, as demonstrated at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, are almost relegated to insignificance compared with the inconceivable possibilities of the hydrogen bomb which American scientists now claim to be able to construct. Russian scientists have not advanced the same claim, but no one can be sure that they are not in a position to. President Truman in par- ticular cannot be sure ; and on him rests the appalling responsibility of deciding whether to direct his atomic scientists to proceed with this immeasurable menace to civilisation ; to hold his hand in the hope that Russia is incapable of producing a hydrogen bomb ; or to make one more attempt to reach agreement with Russia on the prohibition of atomic warfare and the establishment of some effective control of the application of atomic energy. The natural and sane method is, of course, the third, but it is here that despair settles on the minds of all reasonable and humane men. To every constructive suggestion in every sphere except that of the purely technical and subsidiary Russia has nothing but an uncompromising negative to offer. The con- science of America is profoundly moved at the idea of the construction by the United States of a weapon more potent in its deadliness, than men have hitherto dreamed of. To bring it into being without one more attempt at a guarantee that no one shall ever bring it into being anywhere would be indefensible. Mr. Truman seems likely to come to that conclusion. The method to be pursued must be carefully considered, but the usual interminable discussion is not to be tolerated. The position is too serious for that.
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