Department of State Atomic Energy Files
The Deputy United States Representative on the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (Osborn) to the Chief of the Division of International Security Affairs (Johnson)
Dear Mr. Johnson: Van Bush talked to me yesterday about the embarrassment to our position which might result from the disclosure made by Mr. McCloy1 in a recent speech on the possibilities of hydrogen and helium fission for explosives.
We may, at any time, be called on publicly, or in the Working Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission for a statement clarifying the significance of Mr. McCloy’s remarks.
Mr. Bush told me that in his opinion the actual facts would not be as dangerous to our position as the partial disclosure made by Mr. McCloy.
We are asking your instructions as to what should be our reply if this matter is brought up. Should we make a more detailed disclosure of the facts of the situation as detailed by Dr. Bush? Should we refuse to comment further? Or what should we do? Refusal to comment would [Page 442] put us in an impossible position and might result in the complete breakdown of further negotiations. You will remember that at the outset of these negotiations we pledged that we would make available the information necessary to a common understanding of the basic problems involved in setting up an international agency. The terms of the McMahon bill prohibit giving out classified information except with their consent. The problem we are putting up to you is therefore extremely difficult, yet we feel we must have instructions as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
- John J. McCloy, President of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; Assistant Secretary of War, 1941–1945; Member, Secretary of State’s Committee on Atomic Energy, 1946.↩