762.00/4–1851: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Office of the United States High Commissioner for Germany, at Frankfurt1
7265. Re urtel 8454 April 18, rptd Berlin 612, Bonn 370, Paris 830 for Jessup, London, Moscow unnumbered; Bonn’s 756, April 20, sent Frankfort 919, rptd Berlin 220; Bonn’s 759, April 20, sent Frankfort 922, rptd Berlin 221, Paris unnumbered, London unnumbered; Bonn’s 772, April 24, sent Frankfort 938, rptd Berlin 222, pouched London, Paris, Moscow unnumbered.2
Dept concurs your evaluation probable Sov/GDR plans for execution plebiscite and recognizes dilemma in determining proper approach to problem of combatting it. With ref nature possible Allied action, agree it wld be inadvisable for Allies to ban plebiscite itself and favor course of action outlined penultimate para urtel 8454. Also concur your decision not suspend Commie papers for printing exhortation to participate plebiscite. However, see no reason harassment of Commie press cld not be accelerated in order reduce its effectiveness in campaign. For reasons stated beginning penultimate para urtel, consider it preferable to have any HICOM statement issued as an endorsement of further statement released by FedRep not simply party proposal. However, will leave decision on this matter your discretion.
Re propaganda aspect, assume you and FedRep aware and prepared to deal with propaganda problems which wld result from banning of plebiscite. Commie propaganda will undoubtedly claim West suppressing free expression latent Ger opposition to remilitarization, that US favors ban because we have already begun remilitarization with aggressive purposes, etc. Policy guidance for information media follows.
Bonn’s 756, April 20, being repeated Paris for Jessup, London, Moscow; Bonn’s 759, April 20, being repeated Moscow.