Sixth Interim Meeting

Thursday, 21 June 1945

NOTES OF THE INTERIM COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, 21 June 1945, 9:30 AM to 1:15 PM/ 2:00 PM to 4:15 AM

PRESENT MEMBERS:

  • Hon. Ralph A. Bard
  • Dr. Vannevar Bush
  • Hon. James F. Byrnes
  • Hon. William L. Clayton
  • Dr. Karl T. Compton
  • Dr. James B. Conant
  • Mr. George L. Harrison, Acting Chairman

BY INVITATION:

  • Maj. Gen. Leslie R. Groves
  • Mr. Harvey H. Bundy (discussion of item III)
  • Mr. Arthur W. Page

I. DRAFT STATEMENTS OF PUBLICITY

The Committee went over in detail three sets of statements of publicity designed for use (1) at the time of the test; (2) by the President; and (3) by the Secretary of War. It was agreed that a sub-committee consisting of Mr. Page and a representative from General Groves’ Office should redraft the statements based on the detailed suggestions made by the members of the Committee at the meeting and that the redrafts should be transmitted to the Secretary of War for his approval and transmitted, in turn, by him to the President for his support.

Regarding timing, it was agreed that the President’s statement should be followed immediately by the release of the Secretary of War and the next day by the historical, scientific report. Copy of all three words should be released to the press simultaneously with the proviso that the scientific information be withheld until 24 hours after the simultaneous release of the other two words.

General Groves reported that Dr. H. D. Smyth of Princeton was in charge of preparing the scientific release and was in the final stages of completion. It was now being cleared with the prominent participants in the project to ensure accuracy. He explained that carefully drawn criteria were established to determine what information could be included in the report.

a. Statements to be issued after the test:

Given the time lag between the test and the actual use of the weapon, the Committee felt that as little information as possible should be released at the time of the test and that the release should be confined to the local press. It was agreed that draft “A” should be the primary form used, whatever the extent of the damage, with the understanding that reference to exploded gas shells should be made if it was necessary to evacuate and that a list of the dead should be added if any fatalities occurred. The Committee realized that the final decision as to the exact content of the statement would, subject to the above considerations, have to be decided on the spot at the time of the test.

b. Statement of the President:

The Committee considered the draft in detail and suggested several changes for the guidance of the subcommittee in rewriting the statement. It was agreed that the substance of the last paragraph was a policy matter which the President alone could decide and would have to be held in suspense pending the outcome of the “Big Three” Conference. In any event, it would have to be rewritten so as not to make any commitment concerning establishing international control.

c. Statement of the Secretary of War:

I’ve made detailed suggestions about changes to be made. Particular emphasis was placed on making proper acknowledgment of the activity of American scientists in this field before the war, of the assistance of the Navy Department on the project, and of General Groves’ outstanding contribution to the prosecution of the work. It was agreed that all references to the Quebec Agreement, the Combined Development Trust, and negotiations and agreements concerning the acquisition of ore, particularly about thorium, should be deleted.

II. POLICY ABOUT GENERAL AND CONTINUING PUBLICITY AFTER USE

Mr. Harrison asked about the publicity which would arise from the release of the initial statements. He pointed out that the nature and volume of this publicity would be such that the Committee would not be prepared to handle it. He suggested, and the Committee agreed, that the responsibility for training future releases should be turned over to General Groves and Arthur Page. General Groves said he would prepare a list of general rules to handle future publicity and present them to the Committee for approval.

III. CLAUSE TWO OF THE QUEBEC AGREEMENT

At this point, Mr. Bundy entered the meeting and questioned Clause Two of the Quebec Agreement, which provides that the signatories may not use the weapon against a third country except by mutual consent. After some discussion, Mr. Bard motioned that the Secretary of War be advised that the Interim Committee favored revocation of Clause Two by appropriate action.

The motion was unanimously carried, and the committee recessed for luncheon at 1:15 P.M. and reassembled at 2:00 P.M. All who were at the morning meeting were present except Dr. K.T. Compton and Mr. Bundy.

IV. PETITION THAT DR. UREY BE ADDED TO THE SCIENTIFIC PANEL

Mr. Harrison explained that he had received a petition from certain members of the Chicago Group at the Metallurgical Laboratory in Chicago and the Clinton Laboratories requesting that Dr. Urey be made a member of the Scientific Panel. The Committee agreed that Dr. Urey should not be added to the Panel and that, in reply to the petition, Mr. Harrison should state that the Scientific Panel would occasionally consult with Dr. Urey about his views in his field of competence.

V. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SCIENTIFIC PANEL

The recommendations of the Scientific Panel, transmitted to the Secretary of War on the date of 16 June, were received and read by the members of the Committee. These recommendations were in three parts: (1) future policy about research, development, and control; (2) immediate use of the weapon; and (3) interim program.

a. Future Policy concerning Research, Development, and Control:

It was the consensus of the Committee, as expressed by Dr. Bush , that consideration of the overall post-war research and development program should be deferred and that the Committee at this time could adequately consider only the problem of establishing a Post-War Commission. Dr. Bush pointed out that any organization for control in this field would have to be integrated with the general organization, which was recommended in his report to the President to have charge of all government research and development. Mr. Byrnes felt that the research aspects of this field should be tied in with the general governmental research body but that a Post-War Control Commission would have to be established in addition. Dr. Bush thought that the Commission should not itself serve as an operating agency but should be a policy and control body that would farm out operations under the contract. The Committee agreed with this view. In discussing the membership of the Commission, the Committee took the position that civilian members should comprise a majority, perhaps five out of nine, with two Army and two Navy members. At the suggestion of Mr. Harrison, the Committee agreed that a small sub-committee should be set up to work immediately to study this problem in all its ramifications and prepare draft legislation. It was further agreed that Mr. W. L. Marbury, Brigadier General Royall, and a representative from General Groves’ Office should constitute the sub-committee.

b. Immediate use of the weapon:

Mr. Harrison explained that he had recently received through Dr. A. H. Compton a report from a group of scientists at Chicago recommending, among other things, that the weapon not be used in this war but that a purely technical test be conducted, which would be made known to other countries. Mr. Harrison had turned this report over to the Scientific Panel for study and recommendation. Part II of the report of the Scientific Panel stated that they saw no acceptable alternative to direct military use. The Committee reaffirmed the position taken at the 31 May and 1 June meetings that the weapon be used against Japan at the earliest opportunity, that it be used without warning, and that it be used on a dual target, namely, a military installation or war plant surrounded by or adjacent to homes or other buildings most susceptible to damage.

c. Interim Program:

The Committee approved the third recommendation of the Scientific Panel to the effect that the directive to the Manhattan Engineer District is extended to include work of post-war importance, such work not to exceed an annual budget of $20,000,000.

VI. POSITION OF THIS SUBJECT AT THE “BIG THREE” CONFERENCE

In considering what might be said by the President concerning the project at the “Big Three” Conference, the Committee discussed at length the many ramifications that had to be taken into account. In the hope of securing effective future control and because general information concerning the project would be made public shortly after the Conference, the Committee unanimously agreed that there would be a considerable advantage, if a suitable opportunity arose, in having the President advise the Russians that we were working on this weapon with every prospect of success and that we expected to use it against Japan.

The President might say further that he hoped this matter might be discussed sometime to ensure the weapon would aid peace. The Committee felt that the Russians should press for more details; they should be told that we needed more time to provide more information. The committee agreed that under the provisions of the Quebec Agreement, this whole problem should be discussed with the Prime Minister before the Conference.

As stated above, the Committee asked Mr. Harrison to make known its position to the Secretary of War.

VII. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for Friday, 6 July 1945, at 9:30 A.M., the meeting place to be determined later.

The meeting adjourned at 4:15 P.M.

R. GORDON ARNESON
1st Lieutenant, A.U.S.
Secretary.

Original at: http://www.whistlestop.org/