Censorship Files: Telegram

The Director of the Office of War Information (Davis) to the Director of the London Bureau of the Office of War Information (Carroll)1

secret
rapid

Please transmit following to Bracken: Now that the Russians have set us both back on our tails perhaps we can get together on some [Page 644] measures to prevent repetition of these deplorable incidents. I have asked State Department to make inquiries in Moscow as to how this Russian thing happened and whether it broke an agreed release date, on which latter point I am not yet informed. Meanwhile I am meeting with Price and Early and hope we can agree on some ideas for improved arrangements which will be forwarded for your comment. Eventually we may perhaps be able to agree with information agencies of other governments on program which can be made as a united recommendation to our principals. Regarding Connally,2 he does not appear to have said anything more than was contained in Reuter[s] Lisbon story3 and other speculations earlier in the week. I share your wish that all rumors and conjectures on such meetings could be silenced but doubt if it could be done by domestic censorship in either country since we cannot control the enemy. All we can hope to do is to refrain from giving his speculations confirmation. Hope that we shall be able to concur in recommendations which will avert these painful episodes in future.4 End message to Bracken; remainder for Carroll. Sorry you have had to be in the front line and take the heat in this matter but believe Russian performance will measurably reduce inflammation of Anglo-American relations. Also may have salutary effect of persuading our betters to consult their hired experts on such matters hereafter.

  1. Channel of transmission not indicated.
  2. See ante, p. 642.
  3. See ante, p. 452.
  4. The recommendation under reference took the form of a letter from Roosevelt to Bracken, post, p. 848.