National Affairs: A TEST-BAN PRIMER

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Who called the Geneva test-ban conference?

On Aug. 22, 1958 President Eisenhower announced the suspension of U.S. nuclear tests as of Oct. 31, 1958, and invited the U.S.S.R. to a test-ban conference in Geneva.

For what reason?

The Eisenhower Administration conceived a test-ban treaty as a possible step toward controlled general disarmament. In 1955-57, when Russian propagandists were clamoring for a ban, President Eisenhower insisted that he would negotiate one only as a part of a larger package, including a halt in production of nuclear materials for weapons purposes, and other steps toward disarmament.

Why is the U.S. now discussing a ban apart from disarmament?

President Eisenhower and Secretary of State Herter hope that a test-ban treaty will be a "first step" toward disarmament. One of the biggest obstacles to any disarmament agreement with Russia is an almost paranoid Soviet wariness toward Western inspection and control proposals. Eisenhower and Herter think that if a test-ban control system could be negotiated with the Russians, it might be a "breakthrough" on disarmament control problems.

When did the U.S. stop nuclear tests?

On Oct. 30, at the end of the Hardtack test series in Nevada. The series included three underground tests of various sizes.

Did the U.S.S.R. also suspend nuclear testing? Not right away. It carried out a series of tests in the fall of 1958, which scientists agreed were very "dirty"—meaning that they created a lot of radioactive fallout. This was several weeks after the start of the Geneva Conference. As far as the U.S. knows, the U.S.S.R. has not done any testing since then.

What would the U.S. gain from a test-ban agreement?

The stopping of all above-ground tests by Russia and Britain (as well as the U.S., of course) and perhaps some progress toward making outer space off limits for nuclear shots. President Eisenhower and Secretary Herter also believe that it would be good to get the nuclear rules set up before other nations begin to manufacture nuclear weapons.

Would a nuclear treaty have to be approved by the U.S. Senate?

Yes, by a two-thirds majority.

Would the U.S. lose any of its present bombs by the treaty?

No.

How many bombs does the U.S. have?

The number is classified, but the U.S.

does have a widely diversified and dependable "family" of bombs and warheads.

These range from small, low-yield, lightweight weapons used by ground and naval forces to the big H-bombs carried by B-52s. Furthermore, there are nuclear devices for antisubmarine warfare, antiaircraft, air-to-air missiles and intercontinental missiles.

Do the bombs and warheads deteriorate?

No, they need maintenance but they remain lethal.

Is the U.S. supply enough to obliterate Russia?

Many times over.

Would the treaty banning above-surface tests injure development of further big bombs?

It is generally conceded that the U.S. has all the big bombs it needs.

Would the stopping of U.S. underground tests hamper development and refinement of small nuclear devices?