PALMER PHYSICAL LABORATORY
Princeton University
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY

3 May 1963

Mr. Mark Van Doren
Falls Village, Conn,

Dear Mr. Van Doren,

I would like to explain to you why I feel unable to sign
your Open Letter to the President of the United States, and why I believe
that letters of this nature are likely to do more harm than good.

The United States is engaged in complicated negotiations
with the Soviet Union, in which the fate of the United States and of freedom
in this world hang in the balance. These are difficult negotiations with an
obviously shrewd and determined adversary, and would be trying enough even
under the best circumstances. They are made, however, even more difficult if
our negotiators are constantly under pressure to give in by some of our own
people who are, undoubtedly, well-meaning but who surely do not help our

“side. I might think differently if there were similar groups among the
Russian people or if you could and would influence the Russian side to make
concessions also. As it is, the pressure on our negotiators does not even
facilitate an agreement: the yielding of our negotiators to pressures such
aS you propose here is compensated by the increased pertinacity of the
opponent, which knows about your attempt to influence our side.

 

 

Let me tell you, second, that I find many statements in
your letter ambiguous, and even misleading. Thus, the statement that "our
national security will remain inviolate under a test ban treaty" (the second
declaration which you want the President to make) does not even mention the
need for controls and inspections, and can be easily quoted out of context
to prove that such are not necessary. In addition, the question of controls
and inspection is one of number and kind, and the argument between the USSR
and our country centers just on these points, These questions involve tech=
nical judgment which neither you nor I can assess fully. Finally, I think
it is very dangerous to make statements such as "this expression of our sup-
port I have reason to know will be welcomed by him". An opposite statement
could equally well be made, and it seems to me that the President should
come out and say openly what his views are and in what directions he needs
our support.

Sincerely yours,

Navod wh

agtae F Wank

Eugene P. Wigner

EPW/JA