226. Telegram From Secretary of State Herter to the Department of State0
Cahto 202. For the Acting Secretary. Selwyn Lloyd has informed me he thinks we are facing a serious situation in nuclear test talks. If we allow Soviets to break off talks and say that since they had been unable to [Page 764] get a complete agreement which would include stopping underground tests they would have to continue atmospheric tests, effect on public opinion in UK would be almost catastrophic. Lloyd believes, therefore, that we must develop such a position that the Russians cannot say that they want to continue testing. He believes that this can best be accomplished by agreeing to stop on underground tests for a year or so. Lloyd said that the British were not as patient as we, and felt that in a year some sort of satisfactory control system could be worked out for ground tests. He stressed again that we would be in a very bad position if the Russians continue atmospheric testing and give as the reason fact that we would not agree to discontinuance of underground tests.
I said that while the US position that we are not willing to have a moratorium on underground testing before a suitable control system is developed is not unalterable, we would find it difficult now to offer to stop testing for an indefinite time without an agreed control system. If we do so we are afraid we shall never get a satisfactory control system. I pointed out that underground tests did not present the hazards that atmospheric tests did and that we do not feel that we can offer a moratorium on underground testing until our preoccupations on the scientific aspects are met.
I said that we have a large and vocal public opinion that believes that the USSR will continue underground testing during any moratorium and that this would give them an unfair military advantage. I pointed out that they have not apparently conducted underground tests for some time but without a control system they might resume at any time. In the past they had imposed such a voluntary restriction all atmospheric tests but then suddenly shot off a large number without warning. I pointed out that Congress would have to approve any agreement we might reach on atmospheric tests coupled with underground tests. On this last point Lloyd remarked that the agreement need not be covered in a treaty.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 700.5611/8–359. Secret; Priority.↩