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The Assistant to the Secretary of State (Bohlen) to the Under Secretary of State (Grew)
Day before yesterday at the White House at a meeting between Mr. Hopkins, Admiral Wilson Brown, and Mr. Early it was decided [Page 38] that the censorship code would be invoked as of January 19 against any speculation as to the time, place, or even general area of the forthcoming meeting and as to the movements of any United States military or diplomatic officials.
It was decided that if any press or other inquiries are made as to the whereabouts of any official whose movements are directly or indirectly connected with the meeting a reply should be simply “He is out of town”, and no further background information or explanation should be given. The Secretary has requested that this be followed throughout the Department in answering any inquries as to the whereabouts of any State Department officials.
cc to Mr. McDermott