his at the time through intercepted Japanese cables. But, theU.S. did not keep up with this change in Japan’s position. Instead the U.S.chose military methods of ending the war rather than diplomatic methods.The desire for revenge helped make military methods more attractive.After the creation of the atomic bomb was complete and before itwas dropped there was uncertainty to whether or not it should be used.Many scientists argued that it should not be used. Truman had a difficult decision to make. He had much advice given to him towards making a decision.Leo Szilard’s first version of his petition was more strongly wordedthan the final version. Regardless, on July 3, 1945, he presented to President Truman his reasoning for not using the atomic bomb on Japanesecities. It was signed by 58 other scientists.3Rejecting the pretense that the targets would be military, the petitioncalled atomic bombs a ruthless annihilation of cities. The bombing of citieshad been condemned by the American public only a few years earlier whendone by the Germans to England.Previously it had been feared that the U.S. might be attacked by atomic bombs. The only defense then would be a counterattack by the samemeans. However, with that danger gone such an attack on Japan would beunjustified (Alperovitz 132.) A memorandum by Ralph A. Bard, Undersecretary of the Navy, to Secretary of War Stimson on June 27, 1945 stated that before the bomb isever used Japan should be given a few days notice. This position was basedon the humanitarian feelings of our nation. In addition, Bard sensed Japanwas searching for an opportunity to surrender. Bard proposed a meetingwith the other superpowers, including Japan, before ever using the bomb.On July 16, 1945, the atomic bomb was tested over the New Mexicodesert. The Trinity Test was a spectacular success. A 6 kilogram sphere of plutonium, compressed to supercriticality by explosive lenses, explod...
