STATEMENT BY "JOHN DOE"
Contrary to the decision of the Special Study Group, of which I was a member,
I have arranged for the general release of our Report. I am grateful to Mr.
Leonard C. Lewin for his invaluable assistance in making this possible, and to
The Dial Press for accepting the challenge of publication. Responsibility for
taking this step, however, is mine and mine alone.
I am well aware that my action may be taken as a breach of faith by some of my
former colleagues. But in my view my responsibility to the society for which I
am a part supersedes any self-assumed obligation on the part of fifteen
individual men. Since our Report can be considered on its merits, it is not
necessary for me to disclose their identity to accomplish my purpose. Yet I
gladly abandon my own anonymity it is were possible to do so without at the
same time comprising theirs, to defend our work publicly if and when they
release me from this personal bond.
But this is secondary. What is needed now, and needed badly, is widespread
public discussion and debate about the elements of war and the problems of
peace. I hope that publication of this Report will serve to initiate it.
Contrary to the decision of the Special Study Group, of which I was a member,
I have arranged for the general release of our Report. I am grateful to Mr.
Leonard C. Lewin for his invaluable assistance in making this possible, and to
The Dial Press for accepting the challenge of publication. Responsibility for
taking this step, however, is mine and mine alone.
I am well aware that my action may be taken as a breach of faith by some of my
former colleagues. But in my view my responsibility to the society for which I
am a part supersedes any self-assumed obligation on the part of fifteen
individual men. Since our Report can be considered on its merits, it is not
necessary for me to disclose their identity to accomplish my purpose. Yet I
gladly abandon my own anonymity it is were possible to do so without at the
same time comprising theirs, to defend our work publicly if and when they
release me from this personal bond.
But this is secondary. What is needed now, and needed badly, is widespread
public discussion and debate about the elements of war and the problems of
peace. I hope that publication of this Report will serve to initiate it.
