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University Daily Kansan
Friday. May 14, 1954
H-Bomb Testing Over, AEC Statement Says
Washington—U.S.P—The United States concluded its awesome H-bomb tests in the Pacific with the verdict that they were "successful" and "contributed materially to the security of the United States and the free world."
The Atomic Energy commission announced the completion of the controversial experiments in a terex statement last night that gave no hint of the power or the number of city-destroying bombs exploded at the vast Bikini-Eniwetok proving ground.
But it seemed clear that the tests have been cut far short of what was planned originally. The government has officially reported only three H-bomb explosions—on March 1, March 28, and April 6.
The possibility of a fourth was suggested this week when the crew of a plane flying toward Manila the night of May 1 reported seeing what looked like a "sudden sunrise" in the direction of the Marshall islands. A Japanese scientist also had reported sharply increased radioactivity on Osaka May 6.
Consequently, there was speculation that the tests were curtailed either: 1. Because the first three blanks were so successful others did not seem necessary or. 2. Because it was feared additional tests might touch off a new wave of criticism among uneasy foreign nations and thus upset delicate diplomatic negotiations now in progress.
Nevertheless, very reliable sources said AEC scientists originally planned six test blasts during the 1954 series and observers here do not believe three unannounced explosions could escape public attention.
In any event, last night's statement made it definite that the tests have been completed.
The statement, signed by both AEC Chairman Lewis L. Strauss and Defense Secretary Charles E. Wilson, said an official notice would be sent out telling airmen and mariners that the huge "warning area" would again be open to traffic "within a few days."
The first test this year was estimated by congressmen to have unleashed destructive fury equal to 12,000,000 to 14,000,000 tons of TNT, about double what the scientists expected. Published reports said the March 26 bomb was equivalent to 17,000,000 tons of TNT.
By comparison, the World War II Atomic bomb was rated at 20,000 tons and the 1952 H-bomb at only 5 million.
First Wounded French Released
Hanoi, Indochina-(U,P)—The first 16 of the gravelly wounded French Union soldiers who fell at Dien Bien Phu flew from the shambles of that fortress today to freedom and hospitalization after weeks of pain.
They were the vanguard of Franco-Viet Nam soldiers so gravely wounded in the siege of Dien Bien Phu the Communists agreed to permit the French to fly them in helicopters to Army hospitals here.
Hundreds more remain in make-shift tents of bamboo and parachute silk in the ruined fortress. The exact number is not known here but it was estimated as many as 2,000 were wounded in the 56 days of siege before Dien Bien Phu was overwhelmed.
Dr. Pierre Huard, dean of medicine at Hanoi university who heads the French mission negotiating the evacuation of the wounded, returned to Dien Bien Phu today in his Red Cross, marked helicopter for further talks with the Communist victors. Dr. Huard arranged the evacuation in liaison talks with the Communists yesterday.
Helicopters and light planes flew the first wounded war prisoners to Luang Prabang, the royal capital of Laos 120 miles southwest of Dien Bien Phu. The first 16 of the group were expected in Hanoi later today by C-47 hospital transport plane.
The evacuation of all the badly wounded will now take much longer than expected because the airstrip is damaged more than was first thought. French sources said.
That means only tiny planes and helicopters can land at Dien Bien Phu, and their limited range prevents them from flying directly to Hanoi heavily loaded. The evacuation may take as long as 15 days. Radio Hirondelle, the French Army station, reported all aerial activity suspended within a six mile radius of Dien Bien Phu and along route 41 leading through the mountains from Dien Bien Phu to Son La, 60 miles to the east, during the evacuation.
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3 States Refuse Southeast Asian Alliance
Washington — (U.P.)—The American effort to develop a broad Asian base for its proposed Southeast Asian alliance suffered a heavy blow today with word that India, Indonesia, and Burma will not join.
Ambassadors of the three nations made it clear in conferences at the State department that they want no part of the united front this country is trying to erect against the sweep of Communist arms.
at least India and Indonesia.
Nevertheless, Robert T. Murphy,
deputy undersecretary, made the
claim with the Burmese ambassador Monday and the Indian and Indonesian envoy yesterday.
The turndown was not precisely a surprise. From the outset, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles realized it would be difficult if not impossible to win the support of
at least India and Indonesia.
Officials recognize that it is extremely important to enlist as many Asians in the pact as possible so that the effort cannot be undermined by charges that it is "Western colonialism" rather than something for Asia's own benefit.
There is increasing doubt that the three Indochinese states will join. That would leave only Ceylon, Pakistan, Thailand and the
Philippines as possible Asian members.
The three ambassadors took the position, it was learned, that they were not prepared to go beyond the declaration adopted at a recent meeting of southeast Asian prime ministers of "Colombo plan" countries.
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