S/SNSC files, lot 63 D 351, NSC 126 Series

Report to the National Security Council by the Psychological Strategy Board1

confidential
NSC 126

Note by the Executive Secretary to the National Security Council on Public Statements With Respect to Certain American Weapons

At the direction of the President, the Council and the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, in 1950 took under consideration the general problem of weapons information, including atomic weapons, in order to make appropriate recommendations to the President on the subject. Subsequently the President on December 5, 1950 issued a directive on “Public Discussion of Foreign and Military Policy” which is attached hereto.2 The NSC Staff kept the problem under continuing review and on November 21, 1951 the Senior NSC Staff agreed that the matter should be referred to the Psychological Strategy Board for appropriate action.

The enclosed memorandum on the subject by the Director, Psychological Strategy Board, is transmitted herewith for consideration by the Council, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of Defense Mobilization, the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal Civil Defense Administrator of the recommendations contained in paragraph 4 a thereof as approved by the Psychological Strategy Board, including the Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal Civil Defense Administrator.

It is recommended that, if the Council, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of Defense Mobilization, the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal Civil Defense Administrator concur in this recommendation, the Psychological Strategy Board’s enclosed memorandum on the subject be submitted to the President with the recommendation that he approve its transmittal to all appropriate executive departments and agencies of the U.S. [Page 870] Government together with a Presidential directive along the lines of the draft directive enclosed.3

James S. Lay, Jr.

[Enclosure]

Memorandum by the Director of the Psychological Strategy Board (Allen) to the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (Lay)

confidential
  • Subject:
  • PSB action on Publicity with Respect to Certain American Weapons
1.
A series of conflicting statements made last fall by high officials of the Executive Branch of the Government produced considerable public confusion as to the facts concerning our atomic and related developments. They raised doubts as to the degree of unity and confidence within the Government on the purposes of these weapons. Particularly, they gave rise to considerable fears abroad, as to U.S. intentions with respect to the use of these weapons.
2.
For these reasons, the Psychological Strategy Board at its 4th meeting, October 25, 1951, directed the preparation of a staff study on the problem. At its seventh meeting, December 20, 1951, acting on the recommendations contained in the staff study, PSB created a committee chaired by the Director, Office of Public Information, Department of Defense, to prepare a “national information policy” on the subject.
3.
It was agreed at the Senior NSC Staff Meeting of November 19, 1951, to refer to PSB for appropriate action, in connection with this project, a draft report by the NSC on “Release of Information Regarding New Weapons,” dated July 5, 1950,4 action on which had not been completed.
4.
The attached memorandum, Subject, “Memorandum on Public Statements with Respect to Certain American Weapons” has been prepared in response to the above Board action. [Page 871]
a.
At its 10th meeting, February 21, 1952, the Psychological Strategy Board approved the memorandum, recommended that it be transmitted to appropriate departments and agencies as an enclosure to a Presidential directive (draft attached), and directed that its views be communicated to the Executive Secretary, NSC. The Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal Civil Defense Administrator joined in this approval and these recommendations.
b.
The committee also examined the question of the adequacy of speech clearance machinery as it relates to statements covering these weapons. It concluded that the machinery created within departments and agencies in response to the Presidential Directive of December 5, 1950, “Public Discussion of Foreign and Military Policy,” should be used for the enforcement of the attached memorandum rather than that a new clearance procedure should be established.
For the Psychological Strategy Board:
R.B. Allen

[Subenclosure]

Memorandum on Public Statements With Respect to Certain American Weapons

The fact of American atomic superiority undoubtedly has a deterrent effect on Soviet leaders. Whether unconsidered statements about atomic and other new weapons produce any significant deterrent effect on the Kremlin may be doubted.

While well-considered statements on atomic and other new weapons can develop confidence in the determination and strength of the U.S. and the rest of the free world, ill-considered statements on these subjects can be used by the Soviet-led Communists to encourage a belief that the U.S. might use these weapons in a reckless, irresponsible way.

Within the U.S. itself, ill-considered statements about these weapons may create a false sense of security, lead to expectation of miracles in war and possibly jeopardize the maintenance of a balanced defense program, both military and civil.

It follows that we must be extremely careful in our public statements about atomic weapons. The same applies to guided missiles and biological, radiological and chemical weapons.

Before statements and releases on atomic and other new weapons are made, these questions should be answered:

1.
Will this information strengthen the morale of the free world?
2.
Will this statement at this time help the American public to understand and accurately appraise the capabilities of these weapons?
3.
Will this statement create the fear that the U.S. may act recklessly in the use of these weapons?

In the months ahead, as new developments in these weapons transpire, we must so present that information to the world as to buttress the confidence of the free world in America’s sense of responsibility for the maintenance of the peace as well as of the fundamental values of the West.

Note: Statements prepared in pursuance of this memorandum shall be cleared in conformity to the President’s directive of 5 December 1950, “Public Discussion of Foreign and Military Policy.” It is understood also that statements dealing with atomic weapons developments should be cleared with the Atomic Energy Commission.

[Here follow a draft letter of transmittal from the President to Secretary Acheson, intended to serve as a prototype for circulation to all Departments concerned of the PSB Memorandum on Public Statements With Respect to Certain American Weapons, and the text of the Presidential Directive on Public Discussion of Foreign and Military Policy, December 5, 1950.]

  1. Copies to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of Defense Mobilization, the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and the Federal Civil Defense Administrator.
  2. The directive, not printed, specified that all statements on foreign policy be cleared in advance by the Department of State, that all statements on military policy be cleared in advance with the Department of Defense, and that advance copies of statements on either subject be submitted to the White House for information.
  3. By memorandum action of Mar. 27, the Council and the reference agency heads concurred in the recommendation. In a memorandum of the following day, Lay informed the Council and the agency heads that “the President has this date approved the recommendation of the Psychological Strategy Board contained in paragraph 4–a of the reference report on the subject, and has referred the report to the Press Secretary to the President to arrange for the issuance of a Presidential directive to appropriate departments and agencies of the U.S. Government along the lines of the draft directive contained therein.” (S/SNSC files, lot 63 D 351, NSC 126 Series)
  4. Not printed.