-e
of Russia's head start.
The Soviet Union has allied herself with Britain and
France as well as with some of her small neighbors; we have concluded no formal
alliances.
However, Russia's alliances, particularly those with France and
Britain, are not directed against the United States.
Instead, Britain and
Canada, sharing our ‘atomic secret, constitute a Icind of military combination
with the United States as far as atomic preparedness is concerned.
As a matter
of fact, both the Russians and we might find it difficult to induce other
countries to participate in a Soviet-American wars Those that did would risk
becoming targets of atomic attack.
It is importantinthis comiection to note
that, because of the veto power of the Big Five, membership in the United
Nations Organization has committed no country to participate in a war against
either the Soviet Union:or the United States,
(Only through specific military
alliances could such commitments be obtained.
It is far more difficult for
this country, both constitutionally and traditionally, to conclude alliances
than it is for the Soviet Union.
Whether sympathies with our cause or national
interest would in the end lead more countries to line up with us would depend on
too many changing factors to be predictable.
The Russians, once thoy possess the bomb, have a number of unquestionable
military advantages which go back to their form of government.
The proolem is
whether they would suffice to clovate the Sovict Union above the level of risks
which might deter her.
Only a dictatorial government has a chance of successfully launching a
surorise attack on its opponent.
Preparations for such action and the action
itsclf could be undertaken by the Soviet government without prior public discussion or congressional debate.
Much of the prevailing pessimism in this
country can be traced to the idea that our cities will become constantly exposed
to the threat of annihilating "Pearl Yarbors."
Two things can be said to
relieve this anxiety: The first, already mentioned, is the fact that no surprise
attack on this country would allow Russian cities to escape devastating retalia-
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