WAR INFORMATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 December 1943, Page 3

WAR INFORMATION

MEMORANDUM ISSUED BY ROOSEVELT ACTION TO PREVENT LEAKS. NEW PROCEDURE OUTLINED. (By Telegraph—‘Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON,- December 18. Taking stern measures to prevent leaks of important war information, Mr Roosevelt has issued to Navy war secretaries the following memorandum: — “You are fully aware I know of the regretable confusions which have arisen recently over the issuance of official news relating to the war, particularly to the conferences at Cairo and Teheran. We may all be proud that American newspapers, news agencies and broadcasters kept faith and observed the release fixed by international agreement.

“It is most disappointing that such loyalty should have been penalised by failures elsewhere. I see no point in prolonging the controversy over what has passed. The important thing is that we take decisive action to prevent a recurrence. To that end your department and all other branches of the Government will be guided. “First, no information having security value regarding the war will be issued in advance for release to the public at some future hour. Secondly, all such information will be given out instead at the earliest moment consistent with national security for immediate publication and broadcast. Thirdly, the American people want prompty all the news which can be told, and they are entitled to it without interposition or artificial barriers.”