aa SaneZ SNe Na
ete Senet Dal
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eee
——— Teme
aILID LA
.
:
Un
reproauction
for preserbation purposes by the
Eisenhowe Library for replacement
Of @ deterorating manuscript item.
of
ot
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of
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N2ey
Lary ye
GBefense whe, in turn, infarmed ths Dirscter, Defense esos
and
Engineering, under whose general eupervision the operation haf beon
conducted, as to the conversation with the New York Times.
that if
The OMtractor, Defense Research end Engineering, conclude
the AKGUS stery should appear, it would be in the public
be confirmed without endangering the netional security.
Accorgursly,
he prepared 2 bricf statement af the natnre end objectives of
ARGUS onperiment and, after consultation with appropriate £
stutemen:"te copy of which wes furnished you the failewing
was forrzally released by the Assistant Secretary af Defense
ma
(F
dfairs) shortly after midnight when it war definitely known &
New York Timss story isd already eposared in the scarly
edition,
me
As you know, it is my responsibility to keap you informe
these matters. Failure te notify your Committee priar te the kn
ef March 15 rests entirely with me.
Unfortunately, I left my <
knowing that the New Yerk Times hac stated its intention to pub
the story. I understand that severel ettsmpts were zcude to
me prior to my return to ory residence at cbout 10:00 ©. NM. , Bes
without success. As z consequence, I waa unaware of the ci
Stances until I arrived at my effice the following morning.
The situation presented by the New York Times dis
norn.al procedures for dealing with matters of declessificet
releaes ‘or publication. J hope you will agree that thase respe
3
for hendling thie case made every reasonabie effort to arrive /at a
proper calution under the chrcumstances.
Saucerely yours,
(Signes. fsrbert 8. Lobe:
t
4
-
+
terbert 6. Loper
Aseistant to the
of Defense (Atomic
Honorable Clinton ?. Andersoa
Chairman, Jeéut Committee oz Atomic Energy
Congress of the Usited States
-2-
-
—
ry
rey)