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{
    "localId": "313081703",
    "label": "Memorandum, \"Tentative Chronology of Part Played by Scientists in Decision to Use the Bomb Against Japan\"",
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    "id": "313081703",
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    "contentType": "document",
    "title": "Memorandum, \"Tentative Chronology of Part Played by Scientists in Decision to Use the Bomb Against Japan\"",
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        "Eben A. Ayers Papers",
        "Subject Files"
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    "productionDates": [
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    "seq": 4,
    "pageIndex": 0,
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    "ocrText": "Chronology -4-\n27.\n1945\nSzilard circulates petitions in Chicago;\nurges others to do so in Oak Ridge and\nLos Alamos, requesting that the atomic\nbomb should not be used in World War II.\n(Compton, p. 241)\n28. see below\nSzilard petition in original form gets\n36-a\nalmost no support*. Szilard turns revised\npetition over to Compton for delivery to\nWashington, indicating that it was signed\nby 67 scientists residing in Chicago.\n(Compton, pp. 241-42) (*Szilard says about\n55 signatures.)\n29.\nCounter-petitions to Szilard's circulated\nat Chicago and Oak Ridge. (Compton, pp.\n241-42)\n30. July 2, 1945\nStimson sends memo to Truman discussing\nissue of strong warning to Japan of de-\nstruction if she does not surrender.\nBomb not specifically mentioned 1) because\nof secrecy and 2) because not yet tested.\n(Stimson \"Decision\")\n31. July 6, 1945\nPresident's party, including Byrnes but\nnot Stimson, leaves Washington for Potsdam\nHARRYS TRUMAN ARCHIVES \"NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND LIBRARY\n(This and some of the following items are\nincluded as relevant because of the ques-\ntion of what key officials were in Wash-\nington to receive the opinions of scien-\ntists that were expressed after this date.\n32. July 12, 1945\nPoll taken in Met Lab at Chicago.\n(Compton & Daniels)\n33. July 15, 1945\nTruman, Byrnes and others arrive in Berlin;\ngreeted by Stimson at airport. (Truman,\np. 339; on date of Stimson's arrival cf.\nalso #35).\n34. July 16, 1945\nBomb successfully tested at Alamogordo.\n35. July 16, 1945\nNews of test flashed to Truman at Potsdam\nby Stimson. (Truman, p. 415; cf. Byrnes'\nstatement, p. 262, that it took several\ndays for decoding. Stimson & Bundy, II\np. 637, says word of test was received at\nPotsdam on July 16th.)\n36. July 17, 1945\nStimson flew to Potsdam and gave Truman\nfull details of test (Truman, p. 415)\n36-a July 17, 1945\nRevised Szilard petition--Szilard says\nabout 63 signatures."
}