APPENDIX D.-PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S STATEMENT ON POISON GAS WARFARE 1 1 From time to time since the present war began there have been reports that one or more of the Axis Powers were seriously contemplating use of poisonous or noxious gases or other inhumane devices. of warfare. I have been loath to believe that any nation, even our present enemies, could or would be willing to loose upon mankind such terrible and inhuman weapons. However, evidence that the Axis Powers are making significant preparations indicative of such an intention is being reported with increasing frequency from a variety of sources. Use of such weapons has been outlawed by the general opinion of civilized mankind. This country has not used them, and I hope that we never will be compelled to use them. I state categorically that we shall under no circumstances resort to the use of such weapons unless they are first used by our enemies. As President of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the American Armed Forces, I want to make clear beyond all doubt to any of our enemies contemplating a resort to such desperate and barbarous methods that acts of this nature committed against any one of the United Nations will be regarded as having been committed against the United States itself and will be treated accordingly. We promise to any perpetrators of such crimes full and swift retaliation in kind, and I feel obliged now to warn the Axis armies and the Axis peoples, in Europe and in Asia, that the terrible consequences of any use of these inhumane methods on their part will be brought down swiftly and surely upon their own heads. Any use of gas by any Axis Power, therefore, will immediately be followed by the fullest possible retaliation upon munition centers, seaports, and other military objectives throughout the whole extent of the territory of such Axis country. "American War Documents," edited by Cornwell B. Rogers. Current History, vol. 4, August 1943, p. 405. (47) APPENDIX E.-THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LETTER TO THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE OF MARCH 29, 1960. (QUOTED IN PART) Similar declarations might apply with equal pertinency across the entire weapons spectrum, and no reason is perceived why biological and chemical weapons should be singled out for this special declaration. Whether the use of any major type of weapons should be initiated is a matter to be decided at the highest levels of Government in the light of the Nation's longstanding policies and principles, its international obligations, and the emergent situations it will confront. Effective controls on biological and chemical weapons, as in the case of other weapons, may have to await international agreements with necessary safeguards. It must be considered that biological and chemical weapons might be used with great effect against the United States in a future conflict. Available evidence indicates that other countries, including Communist regimes, are actively pursuing programs in this field. Moreover, as research continues, there is increasing evidence that some forms of these weapons, differing from previous forms, could be effectively used for defensive purposes with minimum collateral consequences. These considerations argue strongly against the proposed resolution which appears to introduce uncertainty into the necessary planning of the Department of Defense in preparing Co meet possible hostile actions of all kinds. The Department of Defense therefore does not recommend the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 433. 1 Chemical-Biological-Radiological (CBR) Warfare and Its Disarmament Aspects, a study prepared by he Subcommittee on Disarmament of the Committee on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Aug. 29, 1960, 6th Cong., second sess. (pp. 21-22). (49) |