University of Virginia Library

Compliments Stories

It is somewhat gratifying and
rather surprising to me to see that
you are carrying rather significant
syndicated news about our nuclear
age problems of nuclear proliferation
and countermeasures. It may
or may not be a coincidence that
your story of less than a week
ago about the "thin" antimissile
systems recently inaugurated by
the Defense Department, was followed
today with the story of
jubilant young Chinese celebrating
the advent of China into the family
of major nuclear powers.

In the face of an apparent race
that seems to be carrying us along
in an "out of control" vehicle,
what should we say or think?

If or when such weapons systems
designed for umbrella protection
or retaliation against the adversary
forces would be deployed, it will
have to be accompanied by a
"reaction capability" in each level
of government and each person
operating within the framework
of that government.

In a total exchange of sophisticated
weapons, it is obvious that
each person must be ready and
willing to join with others in
organizations, or homes for an
interval of time. Some will find
themselves in the impact area and
fringe rings where organization
will cease and death and devastation
incomprehensible. Some will
have to "sweat-out" decay time
for radiation "cooling," and
others will have to balance their
activities between waiting and
probing for essential missions that
will help sustain life and government.
The question remains, do
Americans understand this and are
they willing to pledge "live, fortune,
and sacred honor" to the
continuity of America through a
time of "grave national peril"
and "trial by fire?"