1945-09-17 — Page 3

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THE CHINA MAIL, HONG KONG, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1946.

Atomic Energy Must Be Made To Work For Man

The atomic bomb means ther end of war, or the end of the human race. So much is w ready clear. At present it is Becret of the closely guarded the United States and British Governments.

It will, and should, remain] such until the treaties of peace

TWO DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTORS DISCUSS TO-fided to a world authority with ANGLES.. effective power, charged with DAY THE ATOMIC BOMB FROM DIVERSE MR.ROBERT BOOTHBY, M.P, UNDERLINES HIS STU-the specific duty of establishing PENDOUS POWER NOW REPOSING FOR GOOD OR the reign of international law. No world authority consist- IN THE HANDS OF THE WESTERN DEMOCRACIES; PROFESSOR A. O. RANKINE, OF THE IMPERIAL COL-ing of separate soverign states LEGE OF SCIENCE, EXPLAINS THE ATOM AND WHAT will keep the peace unless-those sovereign states are prepared "SPLITTING THE ATOM" MEANS.

to submit unconditionally to its thei: and to place decisions

Its disposal. armed forces unreservedly at

These are the instinct of love covering the conclusion of both we got bigger and better, can-f the European and Pacific wars non, the tank, the flame-throw or life, and the Instinct of de

und of,

and the submarine,

the struction or death. bave been negotiated

bomber. signed.

THE TRIUMPH OF Humanity will then wake up

SCIENCE to a New Age, an age in which navies and air! armies and

ever

occurred

To-day we are faced with the invention that forces will have ceased, over biggest slagle

in night, to have significance; an has age, too, in which the power of the field of physical science: can kill us total destruction, on un unan invention that limited scale, will be absolute.“

To

harness alomic

energy

+ re

('21)

for constructive purposes will

take yearA no doubt

although there is scurch. reason to suppose that it not and will not be done.

But self-propelled guided atomic rockets,

and self

BY ROBERT BOOTHBY, M.P.

with all quite quickly, the limited range, and a des natively produce

capacity almost tructive

bo

42

He further maintained that,

AN ISSUE TO FACE if the instinctive desires of

As long as the great Towers man are thwarted or restricted reserve to themselves the right San beyond a certain point, he be of veto, the Charter of comes an enemy of civilisation Francisco can give no guaran. and culture, and his instinct totee of peace.

overcomes destroy completely

create and to his instinet to live.

Hitler was a typical example of this.

What we have now to do, as a matter of desperate urgency, solution is to discover some between the instinctive claims of the individual and the social of civilised world alter-claims

મ

a sourer of community. So far every at- tempt to do this has miserably failed.

power capable of giving us yond human imagination, areife of ease and of leisure. possibilities of the immediate

future.

Against

no surface these

or afkout,

target, anhore hope to survive.

Can

For the moment a physical power of destruction never pos- sessed by man, or dreamed af prophets of ave imaginative

like H. G. Well, Kenlus, vented

the Anglo-Saxon

Tex

In

ut. responsibility in Their must as terrifying as the wea- inta pon they have brought existence and now commune In order to prevent the au- nihilation of the human race their lo uac have they will power to bring to an end, for ever, the era of "power poli-

iks."

But this time it is, literal-! ly a matter of life or death for all of u8. I we fall we cannot hope to survive,

Here is an issue that must be squarely faced.

Great Britain and the United States have a sacred duty to humanity to see that this wea- pon is given to no hands but those of world authority wielding supreme and unchal- lengeable power.

18

Unless and until thai thority

established they have no right to divulge the their awful sccrat possession.

3- የሩ-

now in

It was not established San Francisco.

NOTICE

REPATRIATION

The sailing for the UNITED KING DOM notified for Tuesday has been postponed until Wednesday 19th September, 1945.

NOTICE

Robertson Wilson & Co., Ltd- hopo to opon office shortly. Most." while enquiries should be addressed to G. W. Sowell, Managing Diroo tor, e/o The Hong Kong Sunday..

The following additional portons are Herald," Windsor House, 1st floor.

requested to stand by for Wednesday?

"A" STANLEY :---- Mr.W. E. Antley

替

Mr. A. A.Bond

Mrs. D. Cautherly and child

Mry, N. C. Davis and three chil-;

dron........ Mrs. E. J. Foy and two children Mrs. D. Perry and two children Mr. M. Kareng Mr.J. Ormiston Mr. D. Ormiston Mro.

S. Owen-Hughes Mr. W. Rees-Harris

Mrs. M. Mather

Miss M. Smalley

Mied J. Smalley

Mias H. Balchuh

Miss N.

Mian J. Armstrong

Mrs. D. Glanville

Miso F. Bartlett

Mims B. Bicheno Miss K. M. Anderson

Mr. C.

Crampton

Mr. J. Balexic

Mrs. W.

Mrs. J. Faid

Mrs. G. M. McClatchis Mise P.

G.

McClatchle

Mr. u. A.

Mr. A. G. D

Mr. A. F. Cochrane

W. Spence

Mr. S. D. Begg

Mr.

Mr. M. Welburn

Mr. S. W. Minshall

at

Mr. W. G. Sewell

Once again humanity stands Turning from the psycholo- gical to the mechanical plane, at the cross-roads, but on the one fact already emerges with occasion the crisis is mortal. startling clarity.

1a humanity going to be able to make the giganti mental and moral leap for- ward which is now necessary for its survival? Upon the answer to this question the fate of our species depends.

The creation of a world or Now that the physicists have

The San Francisco Char-ganisation with the authority dis- Jone their work, under the im-

und power necessary to ter is no longer adequate. petun of war, it is time to call

In the long run it is quite charge the functions of an in- the psychologists to our aid.

ofternational police force, and to They have been neglected for impossible that a weapon

such terrible power should re- maintain the rule of law, has too long by the politicians.

The greatest of them, Freud.main the exclusive properly of long been considered a desir very thing that one nation, or group of nations able objective. Now it is essen-

a- tial would Counter-measures has happened.

Freid maintained, with consuredly be taken by others: But mechanics alone are not siderable justification, that our and, in time, they would sue-enough. There must also be s that fundamental revolution in the instincts are stronger than our ceed with consequences

too frightful to contem-human heart and spirit. reason, and that two basic in-are

Perhaps it required a Great stincts ar always struggling plate.

about this re- later, Fear to bring for supremacy within each one

convolution before it was too late.

foresaw the

D LED.

than the

s-

That, and nothing less that, is the measure of task which confronts them. BRAINS AND MORALS

ub- most formidable The tacle is human nature itself. the Over and over again, in history of the world. il han fallen below the level of events and of conditions, with dinas- trous consequences.

are

for

than better

the

Sooner, rather than the atomic bomb must be

HOW THE ATOM IS SPLIT

BY PROFESSOR A. O. RANKINE, O.B.E., D.SC., F.R.S.,

and

as

e3-

of

Since then much laboratory Suppose that we could label

EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF

has been made, progress future Identification all The truth of the matter is for

PHYSICS, IMPERIAL COLLEGE pecially in the discovery atoms of hydrogen

the that men are very clever, and not very good. Their brains oxygen which constitute half a OF SCIENCE AND TECHNO-other particles, such

neutron in a free state, with their pint of water. Imagine, too,LOGY.

which to bombard the atoms of morals. They discover and in- this water to be thrown away

The electrical balance le the material under investiga-| vent all sorts of ingenious and and allowed, by natural pro-

whole normal tion. fantastic things; and then, in- esses such as evaporation into achieved in the stead of allowing them to give clouds, falling rain, and cur- atom by the requisite number Notice that it is us all a fuller and a happier rents in rivers and oceans, to the nucleus. life, they devote them to the get thoroughly mixed up with possible for the same nuclear purposes of wilful destruction. all the rest of the water in the charge to correspond to differ- ent nuclear weights, according In the words of Prof. Crew: world.

to the relative number of pro- Science has given mutches

and neutrons in the to grubby mischievous little bon, who with them

ured

it

have

of

of

This, then, is the basis of the method of atom splitting -to shoot out suitable parti- cles aimed at a target made

Mr. H. Sewell and three chil-

dren

Mr. A. Stalker

Mrs. M. Stalker

Miss K. Stalker Mies

K. Brameld

n

Miss D. Soge

Miss M. Hearson

NOTICE

FEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRIES.

Enquiries should bo addressed to [G. W. Bowoli, representativo for Far East, o/o "Tho Hong Kong Sunday Horald," Windsor House, 1st floor.

HONGKONG & SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION KOWLOON SUB-AGENCY (Peninsula Hotel)

Please note that this Sub- Agency is alno open and that all enquiries concern- ing accounts kept with this Sub- Agency should be referred to us direct and not to the Head Office in Hong- kong.

No.10/1945.

NOTICE TO MARINERS HONG KONG HARBOUR LSAVAGE OPERATIONS

Details: Salvage operations are tak

ing place at the following Positions.

Mins E. M. Benvin

(1)

Miss J. Oram

On the west wall adjacent to the dry dock at Royal

Miss M.

[(2)

Mrs. V

MEV. Hopkinson

(3)

Miss C.

Me Cunningham

V. Hopkinson

Miss S. Bander

Miss M.

MIB. M. Steel

Hall

Mr. L. McRac Miss M. B

Mr. M. Annett Міз Е. Вуспо Mise E Buckland Mr. O. Bashom Mr. J. Clark

Miss M, Fisher Mr. A. Lamb

Mr. G P. Murphy

Mr. J. Ralston

Mr. S. H. Langston Mrs. H. Langaton

Mr. J. A. Simpson

Mr. G. 9. Whitley Mr.GETA

Mr. G.

H HONG

KONG-

Mrs. F. Fyrtoff (Italian Convent)

Mr. H. E.Foy (H.K. & S'hai Bank)

Miss M. J.

(H.K. & S'hai Bank)

Navd Yard, Hong Kong.

In the dockyard camber,

Hong Kong

of Nos. 6 and vicinity

the

7 beris

Remarke: A red flag will be holated when diving is in progreso, All Vessels 010 warned when in the vicinity of any of the above positions. to proceed an Blow possible compatible with sale navigation 200

68

Charts affected:- Nos. 1459, 3280, 1466 Authority: Naval Authorities.

Hong Kong.

J.JOLLY. Harbour Master,

|16th September, 1945.

NOTICE

We have resumed work in our

Mr. S. W. Peter (Room 205, Nad offices, 4th floor, French Bank

tional Commercial Bank Bldg.)

Mr. H. Hall (St. George's Mansions, Building.

Kowloon).

Mr. T. Tallon (1. & E. Dept.) Mr. A. L. Powell (I. & E. Dept.)

C.A.A. Office,

H.K. & S'hai Bank Bldg.,

of the material it is proposed 16th September, 1945, to disintegrate.

is

of

not

Then, perhaps, someone in a

But if great amounts far distant future generation tons,

atomic energy are to be made -for such mixing would take nucleus.

Thas we get what are called available quickly, it set the world alight in a very long time-might count blaze of hatred and misery,, the labelled atoms in a half isotopes of the same chemical enough that only those atoms atorhy with like actually hit by the projectiles whereas they should have pint of water taken from what element

How chemical properties but differ-used should be split. to light the candle ever source he pleased.

For an effective atomic bomb standing upon the altar of many would be find? The an- eut in weight. Nearly all ele-

ments as they occur in nature much more is required; all, or truth.

swer is about 2,000.

mixtures of isotopes, at least a large proportion, of Thus

bas always been. This rather fantastic illus-are

the target must it would not be which, being so sinila chemi- the atoms in Steam, electricity, the internal.ration-for

engine, wireless.racticable to do the experi- cally, are extraordinarily diffl-explode practically at the same combustion

intended to convey cult to separate from one an- moment, just as a whole charge the conquest of the air, could nent-is

of T.N.T. does. have conferred immeasurable some iden more capable of be-other.

ing grasped than namerica! CONSTANTLY RECURRING SUDDEN RELEASE OF benefits upon mankind.

POWER But while science advanced, statements, of what hosts of. There, then, we have a pic-1

and how ex- ture stood still. So storms here are,

the constitution

This cumulative atom-split- human nature

по must atoms-imperfect,

achieved. By seedingly mintue, they

doubt, ting has been be.

but authcient to enable us to suitable choices of the trigger- the target of their appreciate dimly what splitting ing projectile and

material, the target atomis, them" means,

In a sense, splitting atoms burst by the action of direct themselves, oject frag- is constantly recurring on a hits large scale without muchments which strike their neigh- notice being taken of it. It bours and split them in like process to manner. The same comparatively .engy

sub- knock off one or more of the progresses through the

with almost infinite orbital electrons on the out-stance

rapidity, and this sudden re- skirts of an atom..

is not lense of such enormous powLT this superificial rupture, but produces the great heat and with the disintegration of the pressure effects which have

been so vividly described. all the weight. Circulating very heart of the atom. round it there is a group of Some of the heavier elements electrons-tiny particles of uranium is one and radium negative electricity the num-is another-have very compli

determines the sated atomic nuclei in which ber of which chemical nature of the atom.. the arrangement of the large The atomic nucleus is, with numbers of protons, neutrops, one exception, itself composite. and yelectrons are what shall It has three principal compone say? - not very comfer ent's called protons, neutronsable, and, by throwing out a

PHOTOS FROM CAMPS ON DISPLAY AT

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18A, GLOUCESTER ARCADE

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AND

FREIGHT SERVICE

HONG KONG

TO

SWATOW

PLEASE ADDRESS ENQUIRIES. TO

NEW SOUTHERN S. S. GO.

8. Connaught Road, W. Tol Nos. 30617, 31782, 90818.

Yet, in spite Smallness, and the indivi- sibility implied. (incorrectly) by their name, each is built up of still tinier things, and can be subdivided, or split,

by processes which have now become of such intense in- terest.

a central

Every atom has core, or nucleus, which occupies only a small part of the whole volume but comprises nearly

in

Our present concern

The nature of the target material has been revealed. It is uranium. But not the whole of the uranium can be employed. There are soveral isotopes of this element mix- ed together in the mineral in. which it occurs naturally. Only one of these possessta

and electrons. The proton, one sort of Jonah, can make them-the property of nuclear fig.

the heavy parts of the elves more so.

of

slon, as it is called; this powor

nucleus, is charged with post- In this process energy is set of propagating the atomic ex- tive electricity equal in amount free in the form of the parti-plosion through itself. If left mixed with the other isotopes to the negative charge of an les' shot out... olectron.

Lord Rutherford, in 1919, the surge of disintegration in did in fact use some of these prevented from progressing.

Henon the heed for extract, aturally swift particles from

The neutron has the same weight as a proton, but is electrically uncharged radium in the first successful ing from, the 'Ore this particular hence its name.

attempts to split the nuclei of fraction of lo uranium, a pro- elements which cess the dimculty of which may There are always more pro- he lighter tona than electrone in the hemselves display no natural be judged from the time and nucleus, so that, as a whole, it adio-activity. It was he who money announced to have been POSSESACS a positive electric drat used the torm "splitting spent on the realisation of the

atomic bomb. charge.

ne stom,"

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