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ATOMIC ENERGY
BY GENERAL A. G. L. MCNAUGHTON,
CH CB EMG, DS 0;
Canadian Chairman, Canadian-American
Permanent Joint Defence Board; Canadian
Representative, United Nations Atomic
Energy Commission; President, Atomic
Energy Control Board of Canada
(Extracts from a recent talk in the
CBC International Service)
... It has been thought by those who
have studied all aspects of this problem
that without undue restriction on the
peaceful uses of atomic energy and without
the setting up of an unduly cumbersome
organization, it would be possible to provide at the least several months,
warning before atomic war could be launched by any nation on any significant
scale. It is thought that the certainty of having such a period of warning
during which appropriate counter-measures could be taken should give the
nations confidence to undertake the establishment of such a system which,
once established, could be expected to develop in reliability
There can, of course, be no continuing monopoly in the facts of science;
what one nation has found out, others can learn also by the application of
appropriate efforts and granted sufficient time. In truth there never have
been any really scientific secrets about the atomic bomb. The whole epic
history of nuclear physics has been international in character from the first
detection in France of the peculiar rays given off by uranium minerals, to the
first recognition of atomic fission in Germany, with very substantial contri-
butions in between from almost every other country engaged in scientific
research.
There are no real scientific secrets in nuclear physics, yet there are most
important technological advantages and engineering know-how which are
the exclusive possession of those who have laboured and carried the burden of
development...
In the light of the great magnitude and long continued efforts required for
the preparation of atomic war, it seems reasonably probable that we need
not fear its outbreak on any significant scale for a while yet. There is thus
no occasion for hysteria but on the other hand it would be folly to waste the
time which remains to us, through a failure to give proper consideration to the
defensive measures which are open and in particular to advance by every
means within our power the setting up of an international agreement which
will effectively protect the peoples of the world.
. .. Research in Canada is being directed to the acquisition of fundamental
knowledge in nuclear physics and towards the peaceful applications of atomic
energy but in view of the dangerous possibilities of fissionable materials the
Atomic Energy Control Board of Canada has issued regulations controlling
dealings in these substances to ensure that they do not fall into improper
hands; similarly some of the information obtained in research has a bearing on
national security and naturally the Board is concerned that these matters
should be properly safeguarded.
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