Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, National Security Affairs; Foreign Economic Policy, Volume I

IO Files:US/S/1614

Memorandum of Conversations, by Mr. G. Hayden Raynor, Adviser, United States Delegation to the General Assembly

confidential

[New York,] December 1, 1950.

Subject: President’s Statement on Use of the Atomic Bomb¹

Participants:	Various European and Commonwealth Delegations
	Mr. Hayden Raynor, United States Delegation

Many European and Commonwealth delegations expressed to me yesterday great apprehension with respect to the President’s statement and the hope that it didn’t mean what it seemed to mean. The reaction was quite a serious one up until the time the clarifying statement was issued. This statement appeared to clear the atmosphere and I heard little about it in the latter part of the day.

In the earlier comment the most serious question was raised about that portion relating to the use of it being decided by the commander in the field, although there appeared to be great shock over the part which indicated that consideration was being given to its use. This latter feeling I believe still exists and I do not think that the clarifying statement removed the original impression which was created, although as indicated, it calmed down the atmosphere considerably.

1. Reference is to a remark by President Truman during his press conference of November 30. In the course of discussion on the Korean crisis, the following exchange occurred: “The President: We will take whatever steps are necessary to meet the military situation, just as we always have. [12.] Q. Will that include the atomic bomb? The President: That includes every weapon that we have. Q. Mr. President, you said ‘every weapon that we have.’ Does that mean that there is active consideration of the use of the atomic bomb? The President: There has always been active consideration of its use. I don’t want to see it used. It is a terrible weapon, and it should not be used on innocent men, women, and children who have nothing whatever to do with this military aggression. That happens when it is used.”

   Later the same day the White House issued the following press release: “The President wants to make it certain that there is no misinterpretation of his answers to questions at his press conference today about the use of the atom bomb. Naturally, there has been consideration of this subject since the outbreak of the hostilities in Korea, just as there is consideration of the use of all military weapons whenever our forces are in combat.

   “Consideration of the use of any weapon is always implicit in the very possession of that weapon.

   “However, it should be emphasized, that, by law, only the President can authorize the use of the atom bomb, and no such authorization has been given. If and when such authorization should be given, the military commander in the field would have charge of the tactical delivery of the weapon.

   “In brief, the replies to the questions at today’s press conference do not represent any change in this situation.”

   For the complete text of the press conference of November 30, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Harry S. Truman, 1950, pp. 724–728. For additional documentation relating to the President’s statement, see vol. vii, pp. 1237 ff.