511.00/11–1751: Circular airgram
The Acting Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices1
Quarterly Propaganda Emphases
In order to afford posts an opportunity to give maximum impact to various carefully planned and coordinated approaches to the major continuing objectives of U.S. foreign policy, the Department proposes to develop during the coming months materials which will have four discernible thematic emphases, corresponding to the four quarters of nineteen fifty-two. The selection of these emphases is dictated by the psychological task of building unity and confidence in support of efforts to achieve peace with freedom.
It should be understood that no departures from established United States policy are contemplated. The four major propaganda campaigns here outlined involve themes and aims which are being sustained and will continue to be sustained for the foreseeable future. The Department’s purpose in dividing them into four three-month phases was twofold: first, to enable IE’s operating divisions to plan far-enough in advance to take advantage of useful dates and occasions, and to synchronize the fastest media products with the slowest; and second, to enable the posts to arrange well in advance for adaptations, translations, printing, (locally or through the Regional Production Centers in London and Manila), and distribution facilities, and for such related local activities as appear to be indicated in each instance.
The broad basic theme for all four quarters of nineteen fifty-two is Progress Through Strength Towards Peace With Freedom. The major emphasis for Phase One (January, February and March) will be on Peace With Freedom, with three concurrent subheadings: 1) “The Peace We Believe In”; 2) “Peace Through Deeds”; 3) “The Kremlin—Disturber of the Peace”. Phase One is planned as an intensification of the effort to capture for the United States and its co-partners of the Free World the idea of peace which has been perverted and exploited so successfully heretofore by Soviet propagandists. It will seek [Page 962] to give the word “peace” a broader and richer content more reflective of basic human needs and aspirations, and to sequester the idea against further misuse by the Kremlin by linking it indissolubly with the ideas of freedom and justice.
It is planned in Phase Two (April, May and June) to shift the emphasis to Strength for Peace and Freedom. The sub-themes for this second quarter, and the themes and sub-themes for the third and fourth quarters, will be elaborated in subsequent instructions. The elements of each phase are expected to prove useful in succeeding phases, either through mere persistence of their psychological effect or through actual re-employment to complement the new themes. One phase is expected to pass imperceptibly into the next. To a very large extent, the precise nature of themes for Phases Two, Three and Four will be determined by events and by the experience of field officers in the utilization of campaign materials. It is the Department’s desire that this whole concept be regarded as a flexible frame of reference for the posts.
The Department recognizes that USIE offices already are in possession of a large body of materials—press items, films, radio transcriptions and scripts, books, pamphlets, photos, etc.—which may be found useful in weighting the accent and thematic content of operations in accordance with the phase scheme outlined above. The Department will in a series of communications issue further guidance on the execution of the plan, as well as set forth what is being done by the International Press and Publications Division (INP), International Broadcasting Division (IBD), Information Centers Division (ICD) and International Motion Pictures Division (IMP) to implement the plan. Your attention is directed to the fact that IBD soon will be giving special treatment to the themes of peace and brotherhood in programs planned for the Christmas season.
Insofar as the program for the first quarter relates to leaflets, photo displays, picture stories and press features, produced by the Department’s International Press and Publications Division (INP), the materials thus far definitely scheduled include:
i the peace we believe in
Leaflets
A—A Message of Peace to all Peoples. Short inspirational text with pictures, appealing primarily to women and children. Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt is giving consideration to writing this message.
Shipping date: Nov. 23
B—Peace Under God. Selections from the writings of great religious leaders of all faiths, indicating their common concern for peace with freedom and human dignity.
[Page 963]Photo Displays
C—The Peace We Believe In. Unmounted display, showing the religious and humanitarian practices which the United States shares with other nations.
Shipping date: Nov. 15
D—World Brotherhood. Unmounted display showing the cultural heritage which all nations share.
Shipping date: Nov. 15
Picture Stories
E—Human Rights Around the World. Visualization of the symbols embodied in universal principles of human rights, with reference to the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the U.S. Bill of Rights.
Shipping date: Nov. 20
Press Features
F—U.S. Desire For World Peace. Series of byliners, columns, press features and comment, on how Americans express their desire for world peace with freedom.
G—The Meaning Of Peace. Series of press features showing holiday celebrations of various nationalities in the U.S., and stressing the heritage and universal brotherhood themes.
ii peace through deeds
Leaflets
A—Disarming For Peace. Leaflet outlining, with pictographs, the tripartite disarmament plan presented at the UN Assembly and real possibilities for a better world if the plan is adopted; includes short excerpts from President Truman’s November 7 speech.
B—Architects of Peace. Short text with pictures, tracing the coming of age of the U.S. in an international sense, as inspired by leaders like Woodrow Wilson, Frank Kellogg, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Cordell Hull, Wendell Willkie, Arthur Vandenberg, Harry S. Truman, Dean Acheson, John Foster Dulles, etc.
Shipping date: Nov. 20
Photo Displays
C—Moving Towards Peace. Unmounted display showing important events in the Free World’s campaign for peace with freedom during 1951.
Shipping date: Nov. 15
D—Korea. Unmounted display showing U.S. and UN military and economic action in Korea.
Shipping date: Nov. 15
Press Features
E—Buttressing World Peace. Year-end roundup showing U.S. military, economic and social action directed towards world peace with freedom.
F—Korea. Year-end roundup on Korean situation, with feature stories on rehabilitation and the U.S. role in UN action.
[Page 964]iii the kremlin: disturber of the peace
Leaflets
A—Prevent World War III. Text with illustration showing that aggression can be stopped by united effort under the UN.
Shipping date: Nov. 1
B—Beware The Red Dove of Peace. The facts behind the Kremlin’s phony peace, describing Communist imperialism, terror, obstruction of peace, with a plea to judge by deeds, not words.
Shipping date: Nov. 15
C—Slave Labor In The Soviet World. Heavily documented pamphlet with illustrations describing the full extent of Soviet slave labor practices.
Shipping date: Nov. 7
D—Veto. Pictures and texts recapitulating forty-seven Soviet vetoes at the UN.
Shipping date: Nov. 5
Photo Displays
E—Disturber Of The Peace. Unmounted display portraying Soviet obstruction in the UN, refusal to contribute to UNESCO, etc., persecutions, sponsorship of Korean aggression.
Shipping date: Nov. 15
Press Features
F—Communism Geared For War. Features on the Soviet economy, revealing the extent to which it is committed to armaments.
G—Disturber Of The Peace. Features on Soviet obstruction of peace efforts in the UN and other international organizations.
Certain operational points may be noted in connection with press and publications (INP) campaign output:
- 1.
- Campaign materials will not be forwarded all together in a kit, but each item will be sent as soon as completed as a component part of the steady routine flow of press, photo and publications material. As many phase one items as possible will be marked “INP Project One.”
- 2.
- Leaflets will be sent in the usual 10 English language pilot models to each post, with separate attribution instructions for each.
- 3.
- If appropriate occasion arises for use of campaign material before January 1, for example in connection with the Christmas–New Year season, posts are authorized to make such use at their discretion.
It will be appreciated also that, owing to budgetary uncertainties, the planning here indicated has been regrettably delayed. The Department is aware that, in consequence, materials designed for use in the first quarterly project may not reach posts in sufficient time to permit ideal distribution and utilization at the outset. Every effort will be made to correct this unavoidable situation as the program progresses.
In considering the project outlined in this airgram, officers should especially bear in mind that the above list of projects is far from complete. [Page 965] Specifically, the regional phases of the program have not been here presented, and will shortly be completed and sent to posts in a separate airgram. Officers should give the most serious consideration to the plan as it will thus be fully presented, and should approach it as a technique for maximizing our propaganda potential in terms of specific areas. Posts, of course, not only have but are urged to exercise their discretion and judgment on the use or adaptation of given items or themes. Field comments are welcome, and should include constructive suggestions on projects outlined in this and succeeding communications and/or new approaches which more closely fit area requirements.
Officers should also bear in mind that campaign themes and materials are applicable to most phases of cultural programs, as well as to media operations.
This airgram is being sent to all USIE posts, and certain others for their information. Servicing of campaign materials will be carried on in the same manner as in the past.
- This airgram was sent to 130 missions.↩