SECRET REVEALED

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22606, 10 May 1945, Page 5

SECRET REVEALED

SURRENDER DISCUSSION SUSPENSION OF REPORTER MILITARY REASONS GIVEN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 10, 1 p.m.) LONDON, May 9 Brigadier-General Frank Allen, director of public relations at Allied Headquarters, in a statement on the “incident in which the American Press allegedly obtained a scoop in anticipation of some offer by the German High Command to surrender its forces,” said the negotiations were of the utmost secrecy because of the great difficulty due to distance of exactly co-ordinating action with the Russian Army so that unconditional surrender could be made simultaneously on the Eastern and Western Fronts. The fact that the Germans were desperately trying to create misunderstanding between the Russians and the Western Allies intensified the need for secrecy. The Germans as late as May 6 broadcast their intention to negotiate with the Allies in order to gain time and strength for the battle against the Russians. General Eisenhower accordingly gained from the Russian High Command authority to act in accepting unconditional surrender on all fronts. The understanding was that he observe the greatest secrecy and make no announcement of any kind until the Russians were satisfied through later and more formal contact with the German command that the surrender was genuine and did not represent merely an additional attempt to gain advantages at their expense. Eisenhower Embarrassed “Because of these considerations and the saving of American lives,” Brigadierr-General Allen continued: “General Eisenhower was doubtful of the propriety of admitting any individual at the meetings except those officially connected with the matter, but on earnest representations that no newspapermen would release ini formation concerning the proceedings j until authorised he allowed 17 pressI men to witness the proceedings.” ! Brigadier-General Allen added j that he personally pledged every correspondent on his honour not to ! communicate the result of the con- | ference or its existence before the respective Governments announced the fact. “All observed this pledge except Mr Edward Kennedy of the American Press, who used unauthorised channels in order to commit a deliberate violation,” he said. General Eisenhower was placed in the position of having broken his understanding with the Russian allies. Therefore he feared the entire chain of negotiations involving a later meeting between the Russian, German and Allied commands might break down, prolonging the war. General Eisenhower asked me to express to all other newspapermen his great gratification that with this exception his confidence in the Press had not once been violated in the three years of hie command.” Mr Kennedy’s Explanation Mr Kennedy issued a statement saying: “I saw a representative of the existing German Government sign the agreement of unconditional surrender. I was informed by a representative of Allied Headquarters public relations that although no military security was involved, public relations intended to suppress this