Professor Val Fitch, President
American Physical Society


Dear Professor Fitch:

	The purpose of this letter is to request the Council of the American
Physical Society to clarify the relation between the results of the study
of directed energy weapons (DEW) sponsored by the Society and the subsequent
statement and press release by the Council of the Society.  Some of us and
some of our colleagues supposed that the conclusions expressed by the
Council were considered by the Council to be scientific consequences of the
DEW report.  Since the authors of the report included physicists professionally
involved in defense, we were impressed by its unanimity, and consequently
we were taken aback by the letter of protest by 14 of the 17 authors of the
report.

	More generally, we would be grateful if the Council would
explain which of its conclusions depend solely on physics and
engineering considerations, and in which conclusions the members of the
Council were acting as citizens taking into account their views of roles
of the U.S.  and the Soviet Union in the world military situation and
the American negotiating position most appropriate to keeping peace and
protecting ourselves and our allies.  We respect both kinds of
consideration from such a thoughtful and experienced group, but we would
like to know which is which.

	We would be grateful if our letter could be printed in Physics
Today and considered by the Council.

Sincerely,