St. Louis, Missouri
May 15, E57

Dear Prof. L&*,

   I have formulated the enclosed Appeal by American
Scientists, with the help of some colleagues in St. Louis,
I hope that you will give permission for your name to be
attached to the Appeal,   I should like to have about
twenty signatures of leading scientists on the copies
of the Appeal which are to be sent, together with an ex-
planatory letter, (a copy of which is also enclosed) to
various universities for further signatures.

   If you are willing to sign, please return one copy
of the Appeal to me at Pasadena by Monday, May 20.
hope that you will.               I

Linus Paul ing

Enc


(Covering letter to be sent out with copies of the Appeal)

Pasadena, California

Dear Colleague:

   The attached Appeal by American Scientists has been
formulated with the agreernent of the scientists whose
names are attached, acting as individuals.  We are asking
all of our colleagues who agree with this Appeal to in-
dicate their agreement by signing a copy of the statement.
It i.s understood that all signers are acting as individ-
uals.

   It is our plan to make this statement, and the names
of the signers, public on or about June 3, 1957.   The
announcement will be made by me in Pasadena.

   We hope to obtain at least some hundreds of signatures
of scientists in various fields, including those working
in the area of medicine,

   We urge that you ask all of your colleagues to Soin
in this Appeal.  Please return lists of the names of
signers to me as soon as possible.  It is important that
all names be in my hands by June 1.

Sincerely yours,

                   - --..____
(          \
Linus Pauling    /,.'


AN A)r?%KL R'Y AMEFiICAN SCIENTISTS TO TX3
~OVZXNYXQS AND PEOPLE OP THE WGF.LD

We, the American scientists whose names are signed below,

urge that an international agreement to stop the testing of nuclear

bombs be made now.

   Each nuclear bomb test spreads an added burden of radioactive

elements over every part of the world.  Each added amount of radi-

ation causes damage to the health of human beings all over the

world and causes damage to the pool of human germ plasm such as

to lead to an increase in the number of serio\?sly defective chi.l.-

dren that will be born in future generations,

   So long as these weapons are 3-n the hands of only three powers

an agreement for their control is feasible.  If testing continues,

and the possession of these weapons spreads to additional govern-

ments, the danger of outbreak of a cataclysmic nuclear war through

the reckless action of some irresponsible national leader will be

greatly increased.

An international agreement to stop the testing of nuclear

bombs now could serve as a first step toward a more general dis-

armament and the ultimate effective abolition of nuclear weapons,

averting the possibility of a nuclear war that would be a catas-

trophe to all humanity.

We have in common with our fellow men a deep concern for

the welfare of all human beings.  As scientists we have knowledge

of the dangers involved and therefore a special responsibility to

make those dangers known.  We deem -it imperative that immediate

action be taken to effect an international agreement to stop the

testing of all nuclear weapons.