Evening star., 1950-05-13
Leaks 10 Communists
Often Can Be Traced
To News Writer'S
By Dorothy THOMPSON


"Amerasia" was a rather OBJ
scure Ieftist publication concerend
with Asiatic affairs, which usually
followed the Communist line. 1t
was subsequently demonstrated
that Communists were on It's staff
and that this publication pos
sessed masses of Government doc
uments, some of them highly con-
fidential, originating in various
bureaus, including the State De-
partment.
The question still remains as
to how, and from whom, Amer
asia was able to obtain these
documents. Whoever delivered
them was committing a felony
1t was for such possession, and
not for the policy "Amerasia" es-
poused, that it's editors were tried
and fined. But the source of the
documents never was revealed.
Journalists Learn Secrets.
Must is necessarily follow that
the documents reached Amer
asia" and possibly the Kremlin
through pro-Communists in the
Government?
There are other ways they
might have been obtained in
directly.
Certain journalists, who are
even anti-Communists. have ac-
cess to top secrets" In Europe,
in the spring of 1945, I had an
off-the-record talk with a high
European personality who was in
personal contact with the Presi-
dent of the United States. In dis
cussing controversial policy he
had initiated he exclaimed: IT re-
ported on this in a top secret
cable to the President himself, and
in code. But before the President
ever saw 1t, so-and-so Che named
a commentator) had it on the
air!"
This is not an isolated case. Any
number of other illustrations
could be given.
Several prominent journalists
or radio commentators had Com
munists on their stats in secre-
tarial or research jobs during ano
Immediately after the war. They
employed these persons in gooC
faith, and not without investiga-
ton. In addition. the employees
gave solemnly sworn-to state.
ments that they were Com.
munists. Eventually, their employ.
ers became suspicious and firec
them.
Suppose some of these innocent
journalists had had top secrets
In their files interesting to the
Soviet government? Who would
have got the information even
tually?
Some journalists 60 after tor
secrets. Others have them thrust
upon them.
One Source of Leaks.
Jealousies and contradictory
policies within departments are
one source of leaks, which even
tually may find their way into
traitorous hands. Government Of
f1cials have pets whom they favor
with secrets, in the hope that their
private views, presented by some
one else, will influence public
opinion in the direction of their
own policies against department
tai rivals. This is a sort of re-
ciprocal trade.
Every journalist has heard
"You can publish this, but if it's
ever revealed where you got it
it will cost me my head" Journal
istic ethics demand the protection
of sources.
Every journalist has known the
temptation to become some ones
mouthpiece in order to obtain
access to privileged information
that can be sensationally revealed
Some also virtuously are con-
vinced that it is the right of the
people to have access to every
thing, however confidential-and
these are often the victims Of de-
liberate plants.
Some few maintain what
amount to private espionage or
ganizations, with leg men-each
of whom may have some interest
or pet peeve of his own to serve
and they collect dossiers on promi-
nent figures, whose personal fol.
bles make them susceptible te
blackmail. This has been a curse
of journalism in continental Eu-
rope.
I am not here attacking my
colleagues. But to give secret doc
umentS or information to non
Communists or ti-Communists
is as much a breach of official
duty as to give them to a Com
munist. For an anti-C Communist
to acquire such documents or in.
formation is legally as feloniou:
as for a Communist to do so. Ano
when top secrets leave the con-
fines Of their bureaus, they may
eventually reach destinations un-
desired by the original giver OF
receiver.
Without purer devotion to Of
fetal duty to guard secrets at the
source. nothing can keep them
from enemies.
Therefore, it seems to me that
If leaks to Communists are being
investigated. leaks in general
should be included-and traced
to their sources.
Released by the Bell Syndicate, Inc.)
z Legation Aides Reported