811.91261/2–2746: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union ( Kennan ) to the Secretary of State

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566. AP correspondent Gilmore46 tells us that correspondents were yesterday informed by Foreign Office Press Dept that it will no longer handle censorship but will devote itself to “assisting” correspondents. Correspondents will continue to be accredited by Press Dept. Beginning March 1 news despatches are to be handed in to post office at which point correspondents will lose contact with their stories.

Whole matter was presented by Press Dept to correspondents in typical atmosphere of mystery. Gilmore has learned, however, that censorship is in hands of Chief Administration of Literary and Publishing Affairs. This organization exerts internal Soviet censorship. Gilmore feels it is still too early to tell how new system will work but he has misgivings.

Kennan
  1. Eddy Gilmore, Chief of the Moscow Bureau of the Associated Press.