| Survival Calvin Brown |
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In this modern age of atomic weapons it becomes increasingly apparent that, in the event of an atomic war, the nation that will triumph is the nation best
equipped to survive. As matters stand now, the Western World is lined up against the East in a deadly race in which one stumble means immediate elimination.
While the scientists of these countries work night and day to put their country ahead in the race, the ordinary citizen sits in fear or in indifference.
This cannot go on. It is the duty of these people to acquaint themselves with the situation. An atomic attack launched by an aggressor nation on an unsuspecting country would have repercussions greatly affecting the future of the world. Picture an enemy bomber pilot returning triumphantly from the attack on this afore-mentioned country. As he flies back towards his country he is elated by the great victory he has helped to bring about for his native land. Then picture how great his anguish would be when he discovers he no longer has any country to return to; for this surely is the fate of the world if an all-out nuclear war is launched. Who, then, would be victorious ? The answer, of course, is, the nation best able to survive. When one looks at a map of the world, noting particularly the major powers, one realizes that the great centres of commerce and defence can be wiped out, but the population is so well dispersed that with present weapons it would be virtually impossible to strike a devastating blow against the greatest percentage of the people. Therefore, the problem, simply stated, is decentralization. The nation which is organized to work efficiently and as a unit with most of present industrial centres knocked out, is the one that will survive. But how can a country like ours, which depends on mills and factories, exist without these essential works. The answer is to be prepared. We must foresee the eventualities of such an attack and must be ready to act against it. We must be one step ahead of the enemy. It is obvious that in the event of an attack, we must counter attack quickly and efficiently if we are to have any chance at all, and steps have been taken such as the building of missile bases and Strategic Air Command to give us a striking force, the rival of any in the world. But, what about the matter of survival? Haven't we been neglecting this vital factor? Sure, we know about civil defence and some of us even bother to look into it. Some know just what they are going to do when the balloon goes up. They've got a cave all picked out, where they can hide. So, there we are, hiding in our caves and after the attack is over, we emerge, a disorganized, ill-equipped horde of humanity, and soon, our morals disappear and looting, pillaging and fighting ensue for the last semblances of food and equipment. This is not the way to survive! We must plan now. Equipment and raw materials should be stockpiled for easy access. Plans must be made for communication and transportation. Highways leading to areas where facilities for survival are available should be organized throughout the country in vast networks, separated widely, so that no attack could possibly sever all intercommunication. Widely distributed centres should exist where power and raw materials are of easy access, and, there should be adequate channels of communication between these centres. Above all in priority, there must be a highly organized central authority, exercising complete control over the situation, (for we must be united if we hope to ever triumph over such a disaster), and possessing enough power to enforce its decisions during an emergency. Only by following a plan similar to this can we be assured of the necessary victory to maintain freedom and our way of life. |