811.20200 (D)/1–2046: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:03 p.m.]
187. . . .
In evaluating need for information program directed to USSR, we begin with basic consideration that US relations with USSR are probably more important and portentous than with any other countries. There can be little question that on our side there is every effort on part of Government and public to understand USSR and maintain friendly relations with it. Available evidence suggests that same is not true of USSR. While we have no doubt that Soviet people earnestly desire to understand USA and maintain good relations with USA, policy of small group of men who rule USSR, as revealed in Soviet Govt and Communist Party propaganda, suggests that this small group of men have consistently sought to present to Soviet people a distorted and unfavorable picture of USA.
To exclusion of material favorable to USA, controlled Soviet press and radio feature strikes, unemployment and other industrial strife, racial discrimination and crime. As typical example, Soviet youth is told that 3 million American girls and women have since war been discharged from industry; that they cannot be registered as unemployed as they are considered dependents of their parents or husbands; that in some places married women are prohibited from teaching profession; that educated girls seek any kind of work, they become [Page 677] housemaids and act as live mannequins in store windows; and that need and unemployment are driving American girls into prostitution (Komsomol Pravda, December 27). American press is depicted in terms of Upton Sinclair’s “Brass Check” (Embassy’s despatch 2188, October 11, 194514). Kent Cooper15 and other “newspaper kings” were denounced in December 1 and December 15 New Times for views they hold regarding freedom of press. In connection with forthcoming elections, Soviet press and radio is engaged in aggressive campaign attempting to demonstrate to Soviet people that Soviet “democracy” is superior to any other. This is done by repeating line outlined above and by exposing “evils” in political structures of other states, including USA. Example of such malicious propaganda is statement in Trud of January 15 that chief function of Senate is to insure governing classes against passing of laws contrary to their interests, if such laws should chance to pass House.
It is obviously in our national interest to attempt to correct this grotesque and slightly sinister conception of USA presented to Soviet people by their rulers. We know of nothing in Soviet history, theory or current practice which leads us to believe that it would be possible to reason Kremlin into presenting its people truth about USA. Only practicable alternative at this stage is vigorous and intelligent American information program designed to bring somewhat into balance picture of USA available to Soviet public.
Thus far we have concentrated on distribution of printed material to Soviet agencies and publication of illustrated magazine America. Soviet agencies have chosen to use an infinitesimal portion of news and background copy provided them. Illustrated magazine America, with influence far exceeding its limited 10,000 circulation, has been a great success. America, however, is primarily a cultural project. While there is no doubt that those Russians, who see it, are tremendously impressed by it as a symbol of progressive American technics and culture, it does not and cannot act as a medium for presenting American point of view on immediate national and international events. It cannot do so because it is subject to Soviet censorship. This means delay and inhibition. Some other channel must, therefore, be used for presenting Soviet people with American version of current events in our country and abroad.
Reliance on printed word, whether through news handouts, introduction of a special Russian language newspaper such as British have or of a Russian language news magazine, is likely to prove fundamentally unsatisfactory. Such a project could operate only on suffrance of Soviet authorities and under their constant censorship and [Page 678] other restrictions. Radio is only medium through which USA can speak freely and directly to Soviet people.
Soviet authorities will not welcome American broadcasts in Russian language beamed to USSR. But there is nothing much they can do about such broadcasts. Soviet transmitters broadcast in English language and have done so for years. Their treatment of material regarding USA cannot be said to be unbiased. Soviet authorities are, therefore, not in position logically to protest objective American broadcasts in Russian language. Furthermore, they will think twice before stepping up criticism of USA as retaliation to our broadcasts. They well know that their people are more vulnerable to truth than ours are to slander. USSR could not win out on a radio war with USA. While USSR might attempt to jam American broadcasts it would probably be reluctant to do so because such action—or more extreme measure of calling in all short wave sets—would be an admission to its own people that it feared outside ideas and intensify public curiosity over American broadcasts.
We are satisfied that Soviet people would be an eager and receptive audience for American broadcasts in Russian. Because they have a great curiosity about outside world in general and USA in particular, they would listen avidly to fresh ideas emanating from an American broadcast in Russian language, even were Soviet authorities to frown on such reception.
Without going into detailed recommendations regarding nature of news broadcasts to USSR, we would say only one thing—USA should not criticize Soviet system, Government or personalities. Such technique would, on nationalistic and patriotic grounds, arouse resentment of Soviet listeners and would prejudice our relations with the Soviet Government.
Soviet listeners are not likely to make any great distinction regarding relative impartiality of news from private agencies as against US Govt news and private company broadcasts as against Government broadcasts. In view of Soviet criticism of American news agencies, Soviet public might even consider Government news by Government broadcasts as more impartial.
Financing of such broadcasts is of course a real consideration. If broadcasts to USSR are to be effective they must be expertly prepared and presented and must be transmitted regularly every day over several hours. They cannot be effective if undertaken incidentally and spasmodically.
Embassy’s 4247, December 21 and 3924, November 2116 for general recommendations concerning programs.
- Not printed.↩
- Executive Director of the Associated Press since 1943.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. v, pp. 930 and 919, respectively.↩