Professor Val Fitch, President
American Physical Society
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009

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.  Consequently we were taken aback by the
letter of protest by 14 of the 17 authors of the DEW 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 need
to know which is which.

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

Sincerely,