U.S. Resumption of Nuclear Tests
Early in March the President of the United States, John Kennedy, disclosed to the world that the United States would begin testing nuclear devices in April of this year. He argued that the 50 explosions set off by the Soviet Union placed the United States in danger of losing the nuclear superiority. In accord with this decision, testing would begin from the British-controlled Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean — unless, of course, the Russians would agree to a test ban that included adequate inspection provisions.
It has not been since 1958 that the U. S. has exploded a test blast above ground. Since that time, several new military devices have been developed which need practical testing before they can become operational. The Atlas and Titan missiles, both of which have experienced success, have never been fired with an actual warhead. Although scientists insist that there will be no problem with a warhead attached, the Air Force wants to make practical tests on re-entry into the atmosphere. In connection with this, scientists want to develop a greater atomic punch by increasing their low yield. Experts are confident that further testing will increase the power of the present Minuteman warhead by 3 to 10 times. Many will remember the trouble the navy experienced with untested torpedoes in the Second World War, some of which refused to hit the target or failed to explode.
The navy also has several devices on the drawing board which they would like to experiment with, one of which is an anti-submarine rocket, a nuclear-tipped weapon that seeks out its target under water. The Polaris missile, now having a range under 1500 miles, is to undergo extensive testing with the hope that its range and power will be doubled or tripled.
The Army also has half a dozen war rockets that must be checked out before they can be reliably called operational. There will probably be special emphasis on this type of artillery with controlled ranges, to replace conventional weapons to conduct limited wars. Scientists will attempt to develop a cleaner bomb with little or no radioactive fall-out — a step that must be taken for tactical weapons for the safety of friendly troops.
Of special concern to military men is the suspected advancement Russia has made in the antimissile missile field. Tests are to be conducted with present U. S. missiles as the Nike-Zeus as far as 100 miles above the earth’s surface. Since both nuclear powers possess great nuclear striking power, the balance of superiority will lie with the one who has perfected a missile to knock out enemy weapons. This new series of tests is expected to uncover radically new ways to intercept enemy missiles.
World reaction to John Kennedy’s announcement was as expected. Red China joined with Russia in denouncing the decision as atomic blackmail, a strategy designed to force Russia to accept the U. S. proposal for a test ban. The only ally to react negatively to the announcement was Japan, whose geographical position places her in an extremely vulnerable position to attack from Red China. Regardless of world reaction, however, the President made it clear that, barring Russia’s agreement to a strict control test ban, testing would commence on schedule. “Our foremost aim is the control of force, not the pursuit of force, in a world made safe for mankind. But, whatever the future brings, I am sworn to uphold and defend the freedom of the American people — and I intend to do whatever must be done to fulfill that solemn obligation”
Preparation at Christmas Isle
As the great preparation for war takes place, the mighty men of war draw near, in response to the command of God as outlined in the third chapter of Joel. Normally, tests, as planned would require 18 months of intense preparation. The present schedule calls for late April deadline, barely four months from the time it was decided tests should resume. The mighty man of war called upon to build “Task Force 8” was Major General Alfred Dodd Starbird. He is well qualified for the job, having been instrumental in the tests conducted at Eniwetok after World War II. His decision to use Christmas Island was made two months before the British agreed to let the U. S. use it for tests. Long disuse of the coral atoll had rendered the former facilities almost useless. It will take $25,000,000 worth of construction to make the atoll usable, and construction crews working at a fantastic speed to meet the deadline set by the President.
“Let the weak say,” I am Strong
The United States, Russia, Great Britain and France have all exploded nuclear devices, and it is becoming alarmingly clear that it will not be too long before every nation on the globe will have done the same. There is no particular secret involved in the making of an atomic bomb. Text books give every detail — engineering schools in the United States or Europe offer training to students in the field of nuclear physics. Raw materials can be purchased on the open market. Smaller nations, wishing to explore the field of nuclear weapons will not have to repeat the painful pioneering the United States found necessary in the development of their technique. Following is a quotation from TIME magazine, March 9th edition; “A melancholy fact of contemporary life is that almost anyone — any industrialized or semi-industrialized nation — can build a nuclear capability, including weapons of war. The basic technology is well understood, the engineering problems have been simplified, and the cost, so staggering in the early days, has been pared to the point where a bang can be bought for $500 million. Such advanced nations as Italy, Sweden, West Germany and Japan could obviously do it. So, too, say U. S. scientists, could Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, India, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.”
Reports have reached Western intelligence that Red China will soon be setting off her first atomic blast. It is expected that the test will take place as soon as 6 months away. Israel, formerly accused of developing a nuclear bomb is now completing a big power reactor in the Negev. With the assistance of French scientists, it is quite possible that Israel will join the N club soon. Should this take place, the surrounding Arab nations will no doubt venture into the nuclear field as a matter of self-preservation.
With the possession of nuclear weapons, smaller nations are beginning to boast of their power. They are, indeed fulfilling the prophecy of Joel 3:10: “Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: “Let the weak say I am strong.” This is a characteristic that was to be seen only in the last days, when all nations would be engaged in an armament program unparalleled in world history; a preparation that will ultimately lead the world to Armageddon, when in the day of His wrath, God will cause His mighty ones to ascend on the prey, and when the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth even to the other.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One