S/S–NSC files, lot 63 D 351, NSC 126 Series
Report to the National Security Council by the
Psychological Strategy Board1
confidential
NSC 126
Washington, February 28, 1952.
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
[Enclosure]
Memorandum by the Director of the Psychological
Strategy Board (Allen) to the Executive Secretary of the National
Security Council (Lay)
confidential
Washington, February 27, 1952.
- 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.]