740.0011 Moscow/84: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the American Delegation
1138. Amdel 61. For McDermott. Your 1758;41 Elmer Davis, Byron Price and I at my office this afternoon conferred for an hour with representatives of A.P.,42 U.P.,43 I.N.S.,44 C.B.S.,45 N.B.C.,46 Mutual,47 Blue Network,48 N.Y. Times, N.Y. Herald Tribune. Your suggestions given careful consideration by all, Elmer Davis and Byron Price and I first having discussed carefully your proposal this morning and I having discussed the matter at the White House. It is the unanimous agreement of all concerned that because of mechanical difficulties, it is not possible to follow suggestion contained your wire and on your arrival we will explain in detail complicated reasons why. It is suggested, however, that the following might be a practical solution satisfactory to all concerned here if agreeable to you and others in Moscow. That you notify us of a simultaneous release time for Moscow, London, and Washington in accordance with security considerations and with the understanding that each government could give to the press of each capital advance text 3 hours before release hour. Further with the understanding that there would be no distribution of text or information for domestic or external circulation prior to release time. We hope that you can request such an arrangement be definitely binding censorship authorities of all governments concerned. Realize difficulties of problem, however, after thorough consideration with Davis feeling that this is the only possible formula which would be acceptable to the American press and radio. Acknowledge receipt urgently.