ed with a force equal to approximately 20 thousand tons on TNT.The report was done by Col. Stafford Warren, Chief of theManhattan Project’s Medical Section. It showed that the potential for radioactive fallout from the test was an important concern. Fallout fromthe test exposed a family living 20 miles from Ground Zero to dangerous4levels of radiation. The radiation monitors were so concerned they askedpermission to talk to the family “to see how they feel (Schull 70).”Dead jackrabbits were found more than 800 yards from zero. A farm house three miles away had doors torn loose and suffered other extensive damage. The light intensity was sufficient at nine miles to havecaused temporary blindness. Several observers at 20 miles were bothered by a large blind spot for 15 minutes after the blast. It was determined thatexposure to this light from 5 miles away would cause severe damage to theeyes. Thus causing damage sufficient to put the enemy out of action for several days if not permanently. This is if they survived, of course (Schull 77.)The next day Leo Szilard and 69 co-signers at the Manhattan ProjectMetallurgical Laboratory petitioned President Truman to not use the atomicbomb on Japan. This version of the petition is updated from the first one and comes at an appropriate time following the test on the day before. It said if Japan still refused surrender after a warning of the power of this bomb, then and only then, may it be morally permissible to resort to its use.However, the development of atomic power will provide the nations withnew means of destruction. The atomic bombs of today are only a step towards the destructive and scary future. If the U.S. uses this weapon, we will always have to be cautious inthe future of other countries using it on us. In response to: “Wouldn’t theJapanese use it on us?” Possibly. But, Japan has had poison gas at its5disposal thoughout the war and ...
