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., ~a.. ~ ost- "y .~ . . ~imes1Serttlh ---·~ - --- -- -- - -- . .. ~fo-ND~AY, Jui;, Y 8, _ 1963 . ·- -- - - · - --·- - ---The Harris Survey Test-Ban Pact Has CautiOus Support Of 73% of i\1net·icans, Poll Shows . . . . . ' Reprinted by: Public Affairs Division Democratic National Committee 1730 K Street, N. W. Washington 6, D. C. ·. By Louig Harris (L') 1963, The Washington Post When Under Secretar·y of State Averell · Han:iman sits down a week from today in Moscow to negotiate a nuclear ·test-ban agreement with the Soviet Union, he can, count on the cautious support of better than seven out ·of every ten Americans,- according to a survey j~st completed of a scientifically chosen cross-section of the public. ·· Here is what emerged when · Here are the reasons of the the question of a test ban was American. people-the "whys" put directly to ,the people: behind their stated opinions-· Attitudes Toward Test-Ban told in their own words: Agreements with Russians Reasons for Favoring or Total Public Per Cent Opposing Test Ban Agreement Favor ban agreement · Unqualified approval · Qualified approval Oppose ban agreement Nol Sure 73 Total Public Per Cent , 47 Reasons for unqualified ap- . 26 prov~,--47 17Find way to end tests 16 · 10 End risk of atom war 11 : ·' Outright opposition to any Cut fall-out io ban agreement on atomic testStop world suicide ·· 6 ing runs to no more than one · Halt cost of testing 4 Terms for qualified approval 26 voter in every six across the country . . The number who , If Russia keeps word 11 . Only .with inspection 11 would support a test-ban setIf on our terms t tlement with the Russians are . Reasons for opposing 17 ; Russia will break it 15 divided, however, between those who feel we should bend Can't be weak 2 any and all efforts toward this 'Not . sure 10 end, and those who insist that : varyin_g safeguards be strictly · The .47 per cent..who must · observed. stro·ngly urge a test-ban agreement feel that a continued nuclear arms .race with further testing will lead to the · ultimate destruction of the human race; However,. this view constitutes a plurality, not a majority of the people. The balance of opinion rests with those who want an agreement, but only if it works. This means inspection and, by iffi. plication, leaving as little as possible to faith in dealing with the Russjans. · It would be a mistaken Preside~t Kennedy _to .begin our own te~ting · again would be enormous and. overwnelming. This sentiment for nuclear test resumption was evident when we .. asked the voting Pttblic how they now feel about l\Ir. Kennedy's decision in 1961 · to renew American nuclear tests after the Soviets resumed their tests: ' Attitudes Toward U. S. Decision to Test · When Russians Test . Tolal Public Percen, Approve U. S. testing 82 Oppose U. S. testing 10 . Not Sure 8 There is little doubt that reading of American ·p ublic opinion for Chairman Nikita Khrushchev and the Communists to assume that the peo- any ·Soviet move to resume ple of this country share in. testing would meet with a any measure a "ban the bomb, massive response that this at any price" philosophy. If country should test nuclear the Russians were to resume weapons immediately; Here is testing again; the pressures the reasoning behind these attitudes, as people expressed from the American public on them ill their _own words: ,- Reason for · Approving or Opposing U. S. Testing i I Total Public Per Cenr ,Why approve U. S. tests Stay ahead of Russia No other choice Be ready for anything Develop weapons system ·Stand up to Russia Test peaceful uses Why oppose U. S. tests Tests endanger health Have enough bombs now Two wrongs don't make , a right

Not Sure

82 45 13 12 6 5 1 10 4 3 3 l As on so many issues, Amer- 8 '\ ican public opinion is both tough and practical · minded. 1Our people recognize the dan- . gers of total nuclear war and want every effort bent to avert .

it. By the same token, most

1Americans embrace the policy Iof peace through strength, feeling that a ban on testing ! is possible only when . this country possesses a striking power sufficient to discourage . ' any Russian move toward nus! clear aggressior;1. . I ! I �