Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, The American Republics, Volume V

710. Consultation (3)A/70b: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Uruguay (Dawson)

Washington, June 24, 1942—6 p.m.

383. For Sanders from Spaeth. Reference Department’s telegram no. 382 of June 23 [24], 5 p.m.

Whereas:

1. (Cite appropriate portion of Resolution XVII);

2. the fate of the formerly free nations of Europe, now temporarily under the yoke of the oppressor, shows clearly that the systematic dissemination of subversive propaganda by the member states of the Tripartite Pact is an integral part of their program of total attack;

3. the purpose of such propaganda attack is to misrepresent the truth, to attack the fundamental bases of democracy, and to weaken and divide the American Republics, both within themselves and with each other, and to create and exploit racial, religious, political, social and economic dissension among the peoples of the hemisphere;

4. subversive totalitarian propaganda continues to be disseminated throughout the hemisphere by or on behalf of such states, by means of the press, the mails, the radio, the motion picture, by word of mouth, and by other methods of communication;

5. such subversive propaganda is unable to function effectively or to survive when its sources, methods, themes, and techniques are exposed to those whom the propaganda seeks to influence;

Therefore the Emergency Advisory Committee For Political Defense Resolves That

1. Each of the American Republics be requested

(a) to transmit to the Committee samples of all such propaganda material circulated in any Republic in any form, whether by means of the press, the mails, the radio, the motion picture, by word of mouth, and by other methods of communication;

(b) to transmit to the Committee any reports, studies, or analyses which have been made of the sources, methods, themes, techniques, and effect of such propaganda;

(c) to advise the Committee as to the methods used and the facilities available for the preparation of such reports, analyses and studies of such propaganda;

(d) to furnish the Committee with copies of all laws, decrees, and information as to other measures which have been taken by the Government for the control, prevention, or punishment for the dissemination of such propaganda;

2. That the Committee will study the above material in order that it may propose and develop such recommendations and programs for combatting such propaganda as may be indicated. [Spaeth.]

Hull