If, however, it is planned to use atomic bombs against the
civilian population in the towns, and to use it extensively,
as the chatter goes in certain newspapers, no illusions should
be entertained as to the international effect that would be
produced by the realization of such savage plans. Just indig-
nation might grip the hearts of honest men and women in
all countries; and excessive enthusiasm over the atomic
bom'b as a decisive factor in future war may lead to politi-
cal consequences that will bring tremendous disappoint-
ment, first and foremost, to the authors of such plans. And
finally, it must not be forgotten that atomic bombs on one
side nmy draw a reply in- atomic bombs, and perhaps some-
thing else to boot, from the other side; and then the utter
failure of all the present calculations of certain self-satisfied,
but limited people will be more than obvious. Illusions are
always dangerous in serious matters, as both Baruch and his
partners will probably have to admit.
All this goes to show that right is not on the side of the
American plan, even if we leave out of account the fact that
I he realization of this plan would conflict with unanimously
adopted decisions of the United Nations. Suffice it to say
that the adoption of this plan would -require the destruction
of the Charter of the United Nations organization, by rejec-
tion of the principle of unanimity of the great (Powers in
the Security Council, where the question of the atomic bomb
is to be decided. Is it not in order to free the hands; of the
ndmirers of the atomic bomb, that certain people are raising
such a to-do about the "veto"?
All this goes to show that the Baruch plan is not in keep-
ing with the interests of the United Nations, either in sub-
slance or in form.
There is also another plan regarding the atomic bomb,
a plan proposed by the Soviet Union. This plan is based
on an entirely different standpoint.
17* 259