nMarch 25
nAt the urging of
Leo Szilard, Albert Einstein signs a letter of introduction of
Szilard to President Roosevelt. Szilard
wishes
to warn Roosevelt of the post-war dangers of a nuclear arms race
if the atomic bomb is used against Japan.
The letter states: “The terms of
secrecy under which Dr. Szilard is working at present
do not permit him to give me information about his work;
however, I understand that he now is greatly concerned
about the lack of adequate contact between scientists
who are doing this work and those members of your Cabinet
who are responsible for formulating policy.” In the
memorandum accompanying the letter, Szilard wrote: “our ‘demonstration’ of atomic bombs will
precipitate a race in the production of these devices between
the United States and Russia and that if we continue to pursue the
present course, our initial advantage may be lost very
quickly in such a race.”