45. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State
(McWilliams) to the Deputy Under
Secretary of State for Administration (Humelsine)1
Washington, January 19, 1951.
I am attaching herewith a copy of a draft directive on the national
psychological effort which was left with Mr. Webb by Mr. Souers today.
Mr. Webb informs me that Mr.
Souers made a very strong plea that we accept
this arrangement, and it had been Souers’ desire to
go direct to the Secretary with this proposal.
Mr. Webb has asked me to put the
paper into the proper hands for staff study and presentation of
recommendations to the Secretary. He considers this a matter of urgency
since Souers intends to go to the President about
this in a short time.
Mr. Webb specifically asked that
you and Mr. Barrett collaborate
on the staff paper for the Secretary. I am forwarding this to you for
action with the request that you prepare a paper in coordination with
Mr. Barrett and such other
offices as you might think necessary.
Attachment3
Washington, January 18, 1951.
DRAFT DIRECTIVE ON THE NATIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL
EFFORT
There is hereby established under the National Security Council a
Psychological Strategy Board responsible at the national level for
psychological policy formulation within the framework of approved
national policies, and for coordination and evaluation of the
national psychological effort, including authority to issue policy
guidance to all departments and agencies of the Government executing
major portions of the psychological effort abroad:
The Board shall be composed of:
- a.
- a full-time chairman, who shall be designated by the
President on the recommendation of the National Security
Council, and who shall [Page 88] be the head thereof and shall, subject to review by the
National Security Council at the request of any Council
member, have the power of decision upon matters falling
within the jurisdiction of the Board;
- b.
- one representative each of the Secretary of State, the
Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the
Director of Central Intelligence;
- c.
- one representative each of the heads of such other
departments and agencies of the Government as may from time
to time be determined by the Board.
In the event of an objection by any member of the National Security
Council to a decision of the Board or its Chairman, an effort shall
be made by the Council member and the Board, or its Chairman, to
resolve the divergency prior to any consideration by the National
Security Council.
The Chairman of the Board, subject to the direction of the National
Security Council, shall be authorized to employ such consultants as
may be necessary and to organize a staff composed of individuals
employed for this purpose and of individuals detailed from the
participating departments and agencies.
The Board and its staff shall perform no psychological
operations.
