OCEAN SCIENCES AND NATIONAL SECURITY 19 



constitute reason enough for us to take serious alarm at tlie state of our sea 

 defenses. This threat is reason enough, in itself, for us to be grateful for the 

 monumental service which Dr. Harrison Brown and his distinguished colleagues 

 on the Committee on Oceanography are rendering their Nation in focusing atten- 

 tion on the low state of the oceanographic art in the West, and in proposing hard , 

 concrete, specific measures by which we can regain the lost initiative in this 

 critically important field of knowledge. 



******* 



Representative Hastings Keith (Massachusetts), concerned that the 

 "United States Is Losing to Russia in Vital Race To Harness Oceans," 

 entered the following statement in the Omgressional Record, March 9, 

 1959, page A1950: 



****** H: 



Tlio ocean not only covers approximately three-fifths of Ihc Earth's svu-face — 

 it could Ixold the key to the future of humanity. And we in Congress have it 

 within our power to see that the United States is first to unlock the mysteries of 

 tlie seas, and with this knowledge to work for the betterment of mankind every- 

 where. 



Tlie Soviet Union will V)e the victor in this vitally essential area of science — 

 and military or economic defeat of the United States could result — if our country 

 fails to regain the margin of leadership it once held in oceanographic research. 



Startling and sobering in its revelations is a series of articles by Everett S. 

 .Vllen, staff writer of the New Bedford (Mass.) Standard-Tim<'s. The articles 

 were published in that newspaper last year. The urgency of their appeal for an 

 awakening on the part of this Nation to the need for an expanded program of 

 ocean study is heightened with the passing of time. Nearly 1 year has elapsed 

 since Mr. Allen's reportorial voice was raised, and the opening statement of his 

 first of 13 articles rings as ominously today as it did when first ])rinted: 



Th(! United States is losing to the Soviet Union the biggest and most important 

 sea battle in mankind's history — the contest to unlock the ocean's secrets for use 

 in peace or war. Principally l)y default, American oceanography is surrendering 

 tlie lead in a half dozen marine science fields to a Russia that is better equipped, 

 spending more money, and able to put more capable scientists on this particular 

 assignment. 



And what of the role of Congress? Only Congress has the autliority to provide 

 the tools and manpower that are needed if this Nation is to win this most im- 

 portant race — a race we cannot afford to lose. And with that authority goes the 

 responsibility for restoring the United States to its once favorable position in this 

 field. 



Experts have estimated that tlie present level of financial support for the marine 

 sciences is approximately one-fourth of what is needed if this country is to prevent 

 the Soviet Union from overtaking and surpassing the United States. 



To compare the amount of money spent on sea research with that spent on space 

 research is not to minimize the need for the latter. But a comparison of the 

 importance of these two areas of study would indicate a disproportionate per- 

 centage of funds going into space research. It is the conviction of sea scientists 

 that returns from the investment of additional money in oceanography would 

 more than justify such expenditure. Now that the United States has drawn along- 

 sid(^ the Soviets in the race for outer space, it is essential that we concentrate as 

 well on developing to the fullest our capacity for probing the oceans. 



.\iid it is as an investment that funds for oceanography sliould be regarded. 

 With our v(>ry freedom, economic and otherwise, at stake, there remains no 

 alternative course of action. We must step ui> our oceanograjihy ]>rograni. 

 ******* 



Sea Battle, 195S: Key to Survival, I — United States is Losing to Russia in Vital Race 



To Harness Oceans 



(By Everett S. Allen) 



The United States is losing to the Soviet Union the biggest and most important 

 sea battle in mankind's history^the contest to unlock the ocean's secrets for use 

 in peace or war. Principally by default, American oceanography is surrendering 

 the lead in a half dozen marine science fields to a Russia that is l)etter ecjiiipped, 

 spending more money and able to put many more capable scientists on thi.s 

 particular assignment. 



