A SPECTATOR 'S NOTEBOOK
GENERAL EISENHOWER'S statement about the possible use of the atomic bomb in the event of a war with RusSia or any other aggressor is bound to raise considerable controversy. There are some signs, indeed, that the controversy has already begun. The Atlantic Treaty Commander's argument is that since the United States (he seems to have spoken of that rather than of the Atlantic Treaty Powers) would never be an aggressor, but only fight to repel aggression, it would be right to use any weapon which— material and moral considerations being weighed against each other—would give the user an advantage and so bring the conflict to an end the sooner. That is a clear step beyond a declaration that the Atlantic Treaty forces would never be the first to use the atomic bomb. But the effect of that declaration would be to indicate to the Russians, who are at present far superior in ground forces and in the air, that they would have nothing to fear so long as they used no atomic bomb themselves. In other words, the value of the United States' lead in the pro- duction of this weapon would be completely nullified. General Eisenhower could hardly be expected to assent to that.
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