Evening star., 1947-11-07
us. Seen Considering
New Truth Campaign
To Answer Russians

American officials were reported
today to be considering an intensi-
fed truth campaign" abroad to
answer Russia's growing propaganda
barrage.
These officials believe there
should be a campaign of prompt,
specific and hard-hitting replies to
any particular charges made by
Russia or her satellites against the
United States which are essentially
untrue or harmful.
Some passages in Soviet Foreign
Minister Molotov's Red revolution
anniversary speech in Moscow yes
terday, which stirred considerable
resentment here. are the type OF
thing that would call for definite
answers under such a program.
Mr.. Molotov's declaration that the
secret of the atom bomb has long
ceased to exist" caused little excite
ment here. A number of Senators
considered this remark was tailored
for home consumption.
Concerned at Aggression Charge.
The greatest concern came over
Mr.. Molotov's emphasis on such
charges that this country is prepar-
ing for aggression" trying to ring
Russia with air and naval bases.
The Molotov speech climaxed 8
food of attacks on American mo-
tives by other Soviet officials and
in the Soviet press and radio. In
general, these attacks seek to prove
that the United States is out to start
a war against Russia and that other
countries should line up with the
Soviet in opposition to American
policy.
At the State Department and else
where in the American Government
this line is regarded as three-way
device to Cd rally people inside
Russia behind the government; (2)
frighten the smaller nations into
support of Soviet foreign policy
and 80 obscure the direction anc
intent of Russia's own activities ir
such places as Eastern Europe.
officials Dissatisfied.
For some weeks there has beer
a growing feeling among State De-
partment, Army, Navy and Ali
Force officials concerned with for
eign propaganda policy that the
present scope of the American in
formation program is not sufficient.
This has been defined by Secre-
tary of State Marshall as policy
of telling the truth about what the
United States is doing and about
the facts of American foreign policy
development but in general ignoring
charges against the United State.
by Russia or any other country.
What most worries Gen. Marshal
and other leaders is evidence reach
ing the State Department that some
of the accusations which the Rus
slams have made over and over
again appear finally to be making
an impression by force OF repetition
if nothing else.
This, in turn, has given rise to g
growing conviction on the part Of
some highly placed officials that
such United States information
agencies as the Voice of America
radio program must take a more
aggressive tack.
Clay Answering Charges.
In Berlin, Gen. Lucius D. Clay
already has inaugurated a policy
of answering Russian charges deal.
ing with the American occupation
of Germany. But this has not ye
become a part of national policy.
Along with the study here goes ;
strong feeling in the Government
that the information agencies mus
not allow themselves to be draw
into a mud -slinging" campaign
with the Soviet propaganda ma
chine.
To give plans for an intensified
truth campaign" greater effect
the State Department is understood
to plan to ask Congress for an addi-
tional $1,50O,000 for its Voice Of
America and other foreign informa.
tion programs.
The department asked year age
for $16,000,000 for radio and allieo
information activities during the
current fiscal year ending June 80
1948. The total was slashed by ap.
proximately $5,000,0O0.
The proposed S1,500,000 new ap-
preparation would have the effect
ii granted, of restoring informa-
ton service operations during next
March, April, May and June tt
the level originally planned for the
whole year had the $16,000,000 fig
ure not been cut.
Will Ask New Fund.
Beyond that, department infor.
nation officials already are plan.
ming to ask at least as much fol
the next fiscal year as they did fol
this one.
Senator Hatch, Democrat, of New
Mexico was one of those on Capito
Hill who labeled Mr.. Molotovl
speech yesterday "for home con.
sumption" He said the Russian
Foreign Minister had disclosed {
complete lack of understanding o
American motives.
Senator Mcmahon, Democrat o
Connecticut, member and forme.
chairman of the Senate Atomic En-
ergy Committee, said he does no
believe that Russia has yet achieved
the production of atomic bombs. al
though he added that he had lont
contended she would at some fu
ture date.
Naturally" Senator McMahor
told a reporter. Russia would lik'
us to believe that she has it now
OF course no one is going to know
Just when she does get it and
must admit that it is possible
though not probable, that she ha
1t now"
Sees Molotov Under Delusion.
Senator Connally of Texas, rank
ing Democrat on the Foreign Re
lations Committee, said that Mr.
Molotov is "laboring under a delu-
sion" and that the United States
has never tried to gain a monopoly
of atomic energy.
1T proposed a plan to share The
secret with Russia and other ma
tioils, under proper safeguards. But
Russia refused" he said.