THE NATION: One Major Power

Written in tones of resignation—to domestic economics and to the march of progress in Atomic Age weapons—Great Britain's message to the world was a historic landmark in military history. The British decision to convert almost completely to nuclear-armed missiles (see FOREIGN NEWS) had deep meaning for all of the world, but for the U.S. it had very special significance. Said the British White Paper: "The free world is today mainly dependent for its protection upon the nuclear capacity of the U.S."

Fortunately, the U.S. was ready. Beginning with the New Look military program in 1953, the U.S. moved ahead in...