Military attitudes towards

American military men were skeptical about the value of chemical warfare in 1917. Their attitudes toward the intrusion of chemists and gas into warfare have been examined elsewhere (11). Other reasons for this lack of preparation are that improved gas masks had reduced the effectiveness of poison gas as a weapon, and at the same time extensive cloud gas attacks like the first attack at Ypres had become increasingly difficult to carry out. 

Note The emphasis on the importance of full public understanding and support of science and technology everywhere in our nation (in item 16) is worth underlining. If public knowledge had been maintained over the years by open policies regarding experimental procedures and data, it seems likely that current attitudes toward military research with chemical agents would be more positive. 

It seems that a major constraint on the initiation of chemical warfare during the early part of the war was both a lack of the necessary material capability among the belligerents, and a general disinclination to acquire it. The cause of this apparent apathy can be found in the attitude towards chemical warfare in the military establishments on the eve of war. Certainly it is clear that in several of the nations who would... 

At this point, events overtook expectations the Sino-Soviet conflict developed into direct military clashes at the border from March onward, causing alarm in international circles about the possibility of an all-out war. In Washington, these developments forced the administration to seriously reconsider its attitudes toward China and the Soviet Union and provided impetus for policy decision and action. 

On Jefferson s changing attitude toward political parties, see Richard Hofstadter, The Idea of a Party System (Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1970) and Terence Ball, Transforming Political Discourse (Oxford, 1988), ch. 2. President Jefferson s reform of the American military is discussed in detail by Theodore J. Crackel, Mr. Jefferson s Army Political and Social Reform of the Military Establishment, i8oi-i8og (New York, 1987). 

In all his opinions. Dr Trommsdorff has a very positive attitude towards the state as it is today. One of his brothers is a member of the Hitler Youth orgauisatioiL The position Dr Trommsdorff holds among his comrades is made most elear by the fact that he has acted as group leader in military sports exercises. I have discussed this matter with Dr (Ernst Otto, editor s note) Leopold (bom in 1903, editor s note) too, who is the representative of the assistants in the laboratory for which I am responsible he agrees with my view that the assistants and students do not feel that Dr TrommsdOTff should be covered by the [...] Act (to restore the civil service, editor s note). This statement was important to me, since Dr Leupold has been a member of the SS for a long time now and has smdied Nazi issues intensively. (Quoted from [16], p. 174)... 

This is a military matter and in preparing our defenses we must get it in that perspective. It is a hideous matter. But we know the attitude taken by our predictable enemies toward human life. History shows we cannot expect them to hesitate at any act that would help them gain their goal. 

---