Show t f I r No Talk Ruled By Army ArmyOn On Germ War WASHINGTON ASHINGTON W Won Jan 23 UP- UP The he army startled by public dis die discussions discussions of germ warfare In recent re re- re cent months has hns cl cloaked the whole subject under a u no o talk policy Wh While le the desire for secrecy is understood to be an important factor in banning b further reference to a weapon rated by some somo eclen- eclen scientists as as as' equal to the atomic bomb soine some quarters in the army also have been concerned over what they regard as extravagant t statements statements state state- ments about research progress This attitude is in line with a prevailing school of thought at atthe atthe the Pentagon Pentagon that that the public Is la placing too much confidence in push button warfare when much of at it still sUIl is In the laboratory or drawing board stage H Howe However o w e v vel e r Instructions which have lave ave come from top levels prevent bacteriological warfare experts Ir from m explaining their reasons t for r believing the present stat status of the weapon is II overrated in the public mind Some Facts Stated The war department during the past year h has s disclosed officially some information bearing on its research in germ warfare This has included the fact tact that a the study has been centered entered at Camp Detrick ck near Frederick Md and b that both laboratories an and a a. a pilot p plant ant were were built there during the war war The reference terence r to a a. pilot plant has been as assumed umed to mean that s some me of t the o toxic agents had reached th the point of ot development where they were ready for fot mass production If It ever needed In general the P program 10 gram has hasI been two fold 1 To T pert perfect ct I means of ot combating mass mass' attack on the United States with poison polson warfare and 2 to devise means o of t f retaliation retaliation 4 The development of germs and other poisons suitable s for military n use use has been directed not only at atman atman atman man but against animals and plants to permit destruction of food supplies These explorations Into bacterIology bacteriology bacteriology for military use also have led lcd to new and valuable findings for more peaceful purposes concerning concerning concerning con con- the control of diseases diseases' s affecting affecting af af- af g humans d crops Order Stops Talk But the dont talk ni order is issued is sued hued to army officers and scientists scientists is la interfering with public dis die of these nonmilitary aspects aspects aspects as as- persons in lit a Ii p position l lo to know declare J In this connection George W W. Merck special consult consultant nt to the secretary of war for bacteriological ical w warfare announced d s a. a year ago that steps were being taken staken aken to release technical pap h did not endanger militar military s ity He Ho added it was important that this be done for tor much m ch of the information developed in hi the course of ot the undertaking will be e beat beof beof of at great value to public health agriculture industry and the fundamental fundamental fundamental fun fun- sciences |