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Coe, George A., October 27, 1947.
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Please accept my thanks for your circular letter and for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. I had been reading the Bulletin, and I had decided to subscribe for it. Enclosed you will find my check for $2. | Please accept my thanks for your circular letter and for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. I had been reading the Bulletin, and I had decided to subscribe for it. Enclosed you will find my check for $2. | ||
| − | Permit me to comment upon one phase of the project for world government that atomic scientists are promoting. As far as my observation indicates, they advise postponement of all definitive action with respect to atomic bombs and bomb-making until after a constitution for a world government has been adopted. That is, they assume that a genuine world government can come into being while one of its founders holds in his hands a weapon that bestows upon him authority in world affairs that at the moment he denies to all other nations and peoples. Under these circumstances, in the nature of the case the constitution of the organization then being formed would be the constitution of a world bloc, not of a world government. This organization, being grounded in nationalistic self-assertion, would lack inner cohesiveness; yet, as long as it held together, it would increase and intensify the present disunity of our world | + | Permit me to comment upon one phase of the project for world government that atomic scientists are promoting. As far as my observation indicates, they advise postponement of all definitive action with respect to atomic bombs and bomb-making until after a constitution for a world government has been adopted. That is, they assume that a genuine world government can come into being while one of its founders holds in his hands a weapon that bestows upon him authority in world affairs that at the moment he denies to all other nations and peoples. Under these circumstances, in the nature of the case the constitution of the organization then being formed would be the constitution of a world bloc, not of a world government. This organization, being grounded in nationalistic self-assertion, would lack inner cohesiveness; yet, as long as it held together, it would increase and intensify the present disunity of our world. |
| − | Possession of atomic bombs and of the 'know how' has been a persuasive influence in international relations ever since Hiroshima. Somehow the use of this persuasive must cease before a real world government can start. | + | Possession of atomic bombs and of the 'know how' has been a persuasive influence in international relations ever since Hiroshima. Somehow the use of this persuasive must cease before a real world government can start. The atomic scientists are doing a magnificent job of public enlightenment with respect to the physics of our perilous situation. But the human factor - the psychological and ethical processes that equally are involved - has received no correspondingly realistic presentation to the American public. |
Very truly yours | Very truly yours | ||
Revision as of Jan 18, 2017 12:23:18 PM
525 West 6th Street Claremont, California October 27, 1947
Professor Harold C. Urey Room 28, 90 Nassau Street Princeton, New Jersey
Dear Mr. Urey
Please accept my thanks for your circular letter and for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. I had been reading the Bulletin, and I had decided to subscribe for it. Enclosed you will find my check for $2.
Permit me to comment upon one phase of the project for world government that atomic scientists are promoting. As far as my observation indicates, they advise postponement of all definitive action with respect to atomic bombs and bomb-making until after a constitution for a world government has been adopted. That is, they assume that a genuine world government can come into being while one of its founders holds in his hands a weapon that bestows upon him authority in world affairs that at the moment he denies to all other nations and peoples. Under these circumstances, in the nature of the case the constitution of the organization then being formed would be the constitution of a world bloc, not of a world government. This organization, being grounded in nationalistic self-assertion, would lack inner cohesiveness; yet, as long as it held together, it would increase and intensify the present disunity of our world.
Possession of atomic bombs and of the 'know how' has been a persuasive influence in international relations ever since Hiroshima. Somehow the use of this persuasive must cease before a real world government can start. The atomic scientists are doing a magnificent job of public enlightenment with respect to the physics of our perilous situation. But the human factor - the psychological and ethical processes that equally are involved - has received no correspondingly realistic presentation to the American public.
Very truly yours
George A. Coe (Signature)
George A. Coe