Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-12-05
Davis, Price, Early
Seek Way 10 Avert
War Farley Leaks
ny the Associated Press,

~ the Associated Press.
Government officials concerned
with the handling of war news con-
ferred for two hours at the White
House yesterday on ways to prevent
premature and uneven breaks" on
news of important war conferences
such as have just taken place in
North Africa and Teheran, Iran,
among leaders of the big four AL
lied nations.
Elmer Davis, director of the Office
of War Information, talked over the
situation with Stephen Early. Presi-
dent Roosevelt's press secretary, and
Byron Price, censorship chief. Mr..
Davis said afterward that he doubted
whether anything could be done
about the present conference to give
American newspapers a better
break, shut we hope we can do bet
ter on the next one"
u. S. Questions Moscow.
Earlier yesterday Mr. Davis had
asked the State Department to pro-
test to Russia over the official
Moscow announcement of the Te-
heran conference, while official news
has been withheld in other Allied
capitals. The State Department
said it had asked the American
Embassy at Moscow for information
on the subject.
Emerging from Mr.. Early's office,
Mr.. Davis told reporters:
I'VE have all been talking over
possible arrangements for the next
conference to prevent repetition
of these various miSfortuneS that
accompanied the last ones.
we hope, if possible, to get some
sort of general agreement the next
time that will be mechanically pref
cradle and give the press and radio
of this Country-I mean Of all
countries-a proper break; when no
one will have an advantage over
the other"
Mr.. Davis said he did not know
when any new conference will be
held, but whenever it is he declared
that he hoped the arrangements
for handling it through the press
and radio will go better"
To Consult Bracken.
He also announced an intention
to consult with Brendan Bracken,
British information minister, and
with information agencies of other
countries on measures which would
prevent repetition of such incidents
which cause quite avoidable inter-
national irritation"
A full day after the Moscow
announcement. officials here appar-
emily were still without any official
information on the military and
political decisions which President
Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill
and Marshal Stain reached in their
talks at Teheran.
So many rumors and speculation
on the conference had preceded the
Moscow announcement Friday night
that it excited little fresh conjecture
or comment here. Ordinarily many
members of Congress are quick to
volunteer their views on any news
break of world Importance, but in
this case there was a noticeable
restraint.
The widespread idea that the
Allied leaders may have planned
some great psychological blow aimed
at bringing about Germany'S sur
render was mentioned indirectly by
the Army and Navy Register, I'M
official service oIhljna tion
Marshall May Take Over"
1t discussed the possibility that
Gen. George C. Marshall may pro-
coed directly from Teheran to Lon
don to take over duty as COM
mander chief of the Britannica
continent inavsion forces" and OBJ
served that the necessity for in
vasion depends upon decisions
reached" at the Teheran conference
and the results thereof in the next
few weeks or MONTHS
In the event an assault inva-
sion, as distinguished from military
occupation, becomes unnecessary"
the publication continued, there
would seem to be no reason to
transfer Gen. Marshall from his
present place as chief of staff of
the United States Army to a high
command in the European theater,
unless his administrative genius is
needed for the meeting of the ire
mendous problems that will con-
front the occupation commander"
The question of psychological i'm
pact on the enemy has been the
basis Of Mr.. Davis express concern
over handling of news OF inter-
Allied talks.
He contended the effect of the Of
fetal announcement of the Cairo
conference was impaired by the dis
trlbutlon more than "a hours be-
forehand of a story by Reuters, Brit
ish news agency, saying such con-
ference had been held.
In general, Mr.. Davis argument is
that news coming out in driblets
fails to attain the block busting"
impact on enemy nerves which
might be expected from springing a
surprise, full-blown announcement,
and also affords the enemy oppor-
tunlty to prepare propaganda de-
lenses.