Evening star., 1952-04-21


ganisGtion'S annual member
ship meeting today:
"The Board of Directors begar
its annual report to the member
ship last year by calling attention
to worldwide strife. controversy
and unsettled conditions which
increased the difficulties and the
hazards of news reporting" These
words were prophetic.
Within a matter of hours after
the report was made to the an
nual meeting. it was disclosed that
Associated Press correspondent
William N. Oatis had been jailed
in Prague. Czechoslovakia. HI
was tried and convicted. The
charge was ;"espionage." The
evidence introduced by the Czech
government showed clearly that
Oats had been guilty only of en-
deavoring, honestly and objec-
lively, to gather and report in
formation which in the Western
world is legitimate and essential
news.
The United States Government
appropriately termed the Oats
trial" a mockery and travesty on
justice. Throughout the free
world expressions of shock ano
revulsion against Oats treatment
have been almost universal.
Efforts Are Many.
The directors, officers and man
agement of the Associated Press
by strong public senti-
ment everywhere, have done every.
thing within their power to assist
Oats and to obtain his freedom
The President of the Unitee
members of Congress, the
of State and Other
agencies of the Government have
energetically sought his release
along with that of other American
citizens Illegally held in other
countries. Retaliatory measures
have been invoked against Czech
trade, commerce and transporta-
ton. and other efforts, necessarily
confidential in character, are the
subject of discussion with repre-
SentativeS of the Czech govern
ment.
AS an example of the effect o1
Government measures taken, ex-
ports from Czechoslovakia to the
United States declined from more
than 50 million in the first quar-
ter of 1851. before the arrest o1
Oatis. to just over $2.25 million
dollars in the last three months o1
the year.
The Associated Press will con-
tinue its efforts and your directors
are confident that the Govern
ment of the United States will ex-
plore and exploit any opportunity
to end the unjust confinement oi
our reporter.
Noel Is Also Held.
It is appropriate to note alst
that another Associated Pres,
man, Photographer Frank Noel
remains a prisoner Of. war II
Korea. He has the unique dis
tinction of having been able tt
continue, at least temporarily, hi.
professional work for the Associ.
ated Press while in enemy hands
At Panmunjom. his staff col.
leagues persuaded Communist wal
correspondents to take photo
equipment to him. HI
made a series of pictures of u. N
prisoners, and the Communis
correspondents brought them ou
and delivered them to AP mel
at Panmunjom. They werl
passed by both Communist ane
u. N. censorship, delivered to tht
United States and widely &C.
claimed by the membership as thu
first American-made photograph!
taken in Communist camps.
If some problems arising from
confusion and bitter uncertaint.
have. been resolved in the las
year, at home and abroad, man!
new ones evolved to plague tn
minds of men and to harry theil
governments.
The events that reflect this tim,
of conflict are highly charges
with passion and partisanship. IL
them, and especially IL
the effort to explain and interpre1
them, the Associated Press inevit
ably is subjected to the pressure
and tensions inherent in thu
events themselves. This fact ha!
been, and is. apparent to ever.
of the staff. It impose
continuing demands for honesty
objectivity and a high degree o.
professional experience and jadg'
ment.
It requires patience and under
standing in dealing with criticism
Criticism of the service canno
be ignored. That which Is valic
is accepted by acknowledgment O.
error and proper measures to pre-
vent repetition. That which il
unwarranted is answered by
statement of the facts. Specific
cases arising during the past yea
are dealt with in detail in th'
report of the general manager
which is contained in the annua
volume that has been mailed tt
all members. AS always, tina
document is worthy of the careful
attention of the entire member
ship.
Previous A. P. Standards
Were Met During Past Yea
It is a matter of great salts
faction to the board to be abl'
to report that the news service
during the past year, consistent,
succeeded in meeting the higl
standards of the Associated Press
r,h;c ic not t0 COW fhnta u,nr,