A specially trained Customs searching squad is on duty here constantly to spy out any attempt by a possible enemy to smuggle atomic bombs into the U.S. through the Port of Honolulu.

This was confirmed here today by H. Tucker Gratz, Honolulu Collector of Customs, after the existence of such squads in “all major U.S. ports” was revealed in Washington, D.C. yesterday.

The original disclosure was made by David B. Strubinger, assistant commissioner of the Customers Bureau, in testimony before a house appropriations committee.

Mr. Strubinger told the committee key personnel of customs searching squads at all principal seaports “are now familiar with the appearance of an atomic bomb as well as its components and can readily identify such articles.”

Today Mr. Gratz said he had conferred with Mr. Strubinger on this subject “as recently as November. We have searching squads. We’re in touch with the subject here daily” …

Mr. Strubinger said the possibility of secret entry into the U.S. of “unconventional weapons for attack” gives the Customs Bureau “much greater concern” than gem, narcotics and gold smuggling.

Mr. Gratz said, “Customs and the Coast Guard are working very “very closely together” in the program here to prevent any attempt at smuggling atomic weapons.

“As recently as last week,” he noted, Customs men conferred with civil and military authorities here on the subject of guarding against atomics smuggling.

The precautions follow from an October 18, 1950, executive order in which President Truman declared the national security was in danger.

Also on this day in 1952:

Hawaii Given Taste of Own Medicine

Hawaii — always quick to point out that the islands are part of the U.S. and not a foreign country — got a taste of its own medicine this week.

Last month, Ka Leo, the University of Hawaii student newspaper, listed the University of Puerto Rico’s Natividad among foreign newspapers.

A University of Puerto Rico professor now has fired back a reply pointing out that his island “is a part of the United States … like Hawaii.”

“We are proud of our Spanish heritage as well as of our American citizenship,” the letter said.