862B.49/7–3053: Telegram
No. 738
The Secretary of
State to the Office of the United
States High Commissioner for Germany, at
Bonn1
priority
432. Reference Bonn’s 465,2 there is no disagreement regarding method of handling food distribution. However regarding publicity aspects there is a middle ground between blatant propaganda at one extreme and attempting to play down unnecessarily US leadership role on the other. We agree US should remain in background but no doubt should be permitted to arise on US exercising major functions and supplying from its own ample reserves for those in need.
Is not the problem really one of full background briefing of press rather than big publicity effort?
The world knows this is American operation. Attempts to understate US role may lead to awkward press and public relations. Financing, shipment, planning and other help from American sources is known and generally recognized. Press reports here indicate that East Germans are proud of their own willingness to assume risks. No statement on our part should therefore encourage interpretation that we are trying belittle this element of situation.
Thought is still being given to second note to Soviets. Broad considerations which as you indicated transcend local German opinion still lead us to entertain idea.