MEMO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP77M00144R000300070023-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 2, 2002
• Sequence Number: 23
• Content Type: MEMO

MU C
Approved For ReleffiJ 01 ,EELJ-fK&XR1dgAff 0300070
WASHINGTON, D.G. 20505
Officials of this Agency have reviewed the reference to
the Central Intelligence Agency in paragraph four of the attached
memo dated 3 September 1954 from Corbin Allardice to Lewis L. Strauss.
They have determined that it contains no classified information.
STATINTL
Office of Legislative Counsel
Approved For Release 2002/01/23 : CIA-RDP77M00144R000300070023-0
 UNCLASSII APPO
SUBJECT: (Optional)...
FROM:
ROUTING AN
Legislative:-Counsel
STATI NW
STATI N
Approved For Releasle 2002/0
RECORD SHEET
ENTIAL I I SECRET
1.1._._lr%l_197S
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whoa
to whom. Grow a line across column after each comment.)
Attached is a copy of the
like decl.assif ied. The only por--
tion concerning Lhe. Agency is in
paragraph 4.
Thi s porti Dl) has been re
viewed. by the: Nucl.ea.r Energy Di.vi.
s i.an of (,)ST. That Office deter-
mined, that it contains no classi-
fied information nor are any sensi_
ti.ve sources and methods disclosed.
1v we. discussed over the
'phone, 1tin sending you a copy
for your files and will advise the
Joint Committee staff accordingly.
FORM 610 USE PREVIOUS SECRET CONFIDENTIAL INTERNAL UNCLASSIFIED
3.62 EDITIONS F-1 E] USE ONLY ^
 Approved For Release 2002/01/23 : CIA-RDP77M00144R000300070023-0
(C
September 3, 1954
?' .O A1TJUM TO: Mr. Lewis L. Strauss
FY,M: Corbin Allardice
This dseunree?'a corsis!s of
tto- I et I Cepies, Serves Z-S /7~
PMSCE A,L
SECRET
SUBJECT: National Association of Science Writers Address
In addition to being, a good opportunity to correct some of the
misconceptions that have been given to many writers by the perfectly
scurrilous attacks of Pearson, Alsops, and others like them? upon you
and upon the AEC Security and Information Control Program,. the NASW
meeting is an excellent for-= for releasing other facts that need wide-
spread dissenrtnation. In the audience will be the top science writers
fry all over the country. All the wire services, the principal Metro-
politan dailies, and the major periodicals will, be represented.
One area that seems to rue to need some public understanding is the
problem of radioactive fall-out, particularly from megaton weapons. In order
that you might consider the wisdom of discussing that subject at the NASW
meeting, I have asked Fred deHoffran, while he was in town in connection with
the Wederneyer panel, to analyze from the technical declassification point of
view whether the release of certain general information on the fall-out
from megaton explosions would give the Russians any significant information
which they do not already have. I think you will find Fred's memo to me
interesting and helpful. I've always found him to be sound and conserva-
tive in these matters.
With Feed's technical help.. I have taken the liberty of drafting
sae remarks on this subject to cover the points that night be made.
I do not believe uc advantage ourselves vis-a-vis the Russians by
remaining silent on this ratter. There is evidence (from CIA) that in their
military planning the Russians have taken a far more conservative view on c
the problems of mediation and r4-e-io active fail-out than have ve, and thus
by hinisig)-ht, if not by foresight, the Russians have less "unlearning" to do ~n v
now that re ton wee apons make fall -out a significant effect, and indeed
c~:tenc1 the area of potential fatal injury to thousands of square miles.
F.?ith the increase of area of potential fatal i e
injury,, thire is a concurrent - ~ -.~
increase in the number of people potentials killed. A 1954-type thermo-
nuclear weapon evrlaied in the prover v ay over Washington,, D. C. might r G"
en ". n-'_ar the lives of the millions of citizens living bets en Washington CD -
and Philadelphia--a horrifying, but nonetheless, useful military effect. `
This Kuro iedr e taken with Fred's memo and our own Civil Defense needs
ccnvir:cCs ma that it would be wise to consider now to tale a carefully
thm.wn release on the subject. I do not believe it necessary to give
n_Cii 7 c ico o~ye cure s at this tin. But authoritative, generalized
irX or-.cation is vim L1y rceclc:i.
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SEAR
The Civil Defense implications of "megaton fell.-outs" are touched
upon in the attached draft. if you decide to go ahead` you will. no doubt
want to get the views of FCDA on the matter.
T
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