OCEAN SCIENCES AND NATIONAL SECURITY 5 



of the sea itself than currently prevails . The first and most compelling 

 stimulus of attention to oceanic research is purely military. 



The second factor of aroused interest is purely scientific — that is, 

 the need to fill a major gap in knowledge about our own planet. To 

 use a much-worn phrase, more is known about the Moon than is 

 known about the oceans (which cover 71 percent of the Earth's surface) 

 their contents, and the floor beneath. Man's restless curiosity about 

 the world around him might well serve as an intellectual basis for an 

 increased program of research. But, in just the past 3 years, a new 

 concept of science and technology has emerged which rendere the 

 conduct of research and the identification of scientific achievement 

 a significant element in international aft'airs. In our relations with 

 other countries, in our competition with the Soviet Union, scientific 

 discovery and technological achievement, especially with peaceful 

 applications in mind, have become as potent in attempts to attract 

 the uncommitted countries of the world as the display of a new mdi- 

 tary weapons system. For the first time in history, the intangibles 

 of international prestige liinge visibl}^ on science and technology. 



That we, as a nation, have reacted to the Soviet initiative in outer 

 space is well documented by new legislation, decisions on funding, 

 and by statements of national purpose. The budget for fiscal year 

 1961 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shows 

 signs of approaching one billion dollars. Although in any circum- 

 stances activities in outer space would have been pursued, the major 

 driving force has been derived from the iuitial lead by the Soviet Union. 

 With that example, there is reason to contemplate further moves by 

 the Soviet Union in other scientific fields, and with the U.S.S.R.'s 

 capabilities of controUing scientific programs, she might well marshal 

 her resources to make the oceans — the inner space — ^the next area of 

 major activity. 



It would be immature to believe that the United States could main- 

 tain leadership in all fields of science and technology, even if this were 

 an avowed national policy. Nevertheless, the unexplored potential of 

 oceanography is among the few areas specifically identified by national 

 leaders as warranting special attention. In that regard, even if it 

 were agreed that the United States should embark on one or more 

 deliberate programs of scientific and technological endeavor as a 

 matter of national policy, those concerned with governmental responsi- 

 bilities and the general public itself have need for information and 

 analysis on the basis of which their decisions could be intelligently 

 made. 



Still a third significant reason advanced for an enriched national 

 program in oceanography lies in the matter of national self-interest 

 through a better understanding of the resources in and under the sea. 

 At the present time, the sea belongs to everyone and essentially to 

 no one. Except for protection offered within the continental limits, 

 whether these be 3, 6, or 12 miles, the high seas are owned in common 

 but controlled and dominated by nations having the greatest sea 

 power. One result of this "freedom of the seas" is the universal 

 utilization of the surface for commerce. Nevertheless, there have 

 been and still are international disputes of var^nng criticality con- 

 cerned with fishing rights and tliese differences in viewpoint would 

 surely be accompanied by a rise in temperature and possibly hostilities, 

 if the property in dispute had even greater financial value. 



56612—60 2 



