J.C.S. Files
Memorandum by the United States Chiefs of
Staff1
secret
C.C.S. 310
[Quebec,] 15 August 1943.
Propaganda Committee
Recent events have indicated the necessity for establishing some
machinery whereby propaganda policies to be followed by London,
[Page 1098]
Washington, and Theater
Headquarters may be coordinated, particularly in emergency
cases.
The enclosure is presented by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a possible
solution to this problem. They consider it desirable that something
along these lines be accomplished during the
Quadrant
Conferences.
Enclosure
[Propaganda
Committee]
problem
To establish a central agency with power of decision regarding
propaganda lines to be followed.
facts bearing on the problem
The recent removal of Mussolini disclosed the fact that in
emergencies there is no United Nations agency immediately
available to coordinate and determine the propaganda policy that
should be followed in order to derive the maximum benefit from
the situation. As a result there has been a divergence in the
propaganda aims as between the United States, the United
Kingdom, and the Theater Commander, which will be difficult to
correct.
The time involved in obtaining agreed views from the Chief
Executives of the two governments, the State Department, the
Foreign Office, and the military and naval leaders of the two
countries is too long to permit taking full advantage of a
situation which requires immediate action.
action recommended
That the Combined Chiefs of Staff recommend to the President and
the Prime Minister:
-
a.
- That a Propaganda Committee be set up in Washington to
include one high-level representative each from the U.S.
State Department, British Foreign Office, U.S. Chiefs of
Staff and the British Chiefs of Staff.
-
b.
- That this Committee be authorized to make decisions
and issue broad directives on propaganda policies to be
followed by the propaganda agencies of the two
countries. These should be such as to insure the maximum
benefit in furthering the military and political aims of
the two governments. It should be understood that this
committee ordinarily is free to seek guidance on the
highest levels, but in emergencies to have the
responsibility of taking immediate action without
reference to higher authority.
-
c.
- That the Combined Chiefs of Staff be charged with the
implementation of the above.
