762.61114/8–244
The Secretary of War ( Stimson ) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: I wish to refer to your letter of July 18, 194442 requesting information for use in replying to a note from the Soviet Embassy,43 in which it is stated that on July 9, 1944 a representative of General Eisenhower’s staff at a press conference in London made a statement, the text of which was inclosed, regarding Soviet prisoners of war in the German Army which the Soviet Government considers inadmissible.
General Eisenhower has informed me that no statement with reference to Soviet prisoners of war has been made by any of his staff officers at any press conference. On the date in question, July 9, individuals present have assured him that no reference to Soviet Russia was made. That particular conference had to do with ordnance matters. General Eisenhower adds that news stories in substantially the tenor of the statement forwarded by the Soviet Embassy were filed from Normandy by Associated Press and United Press war correspondents. These stories were passed by SHAEF44 censorship since security was not involved.
[Page 1244]I am entirely willing to take further action on this matter if the Soviet Government is able to furnish additional information as a basis therefor.45
Sincerely yours,