Sir Kenneth Clark observed that the Report circulated (headed “‘Anger’ Campaign) formed a part of the Home Morale Campaign, the remainder of which was being prepared. There were references in it to the Press, and it was confirmed that this part should he handed over to the Press Division. Sir Walter Monckton said that when the Press Division had considered how to co-operate they would probably approach the newspaper proprietors. The Director General emphasised the necessity that the campaign should associate the “anger” theme with practical things which the public might do. Sir Walter Monckton observed that we should not get hold of the Press until we are ready to tell them also what to do. Sir Kenneth Clark observed that there was no organisation in the Ministry at present concerned with picking out news stories. The Director General pointed out that the Reference Section had the organisation for compiling the stories, but Sir Kenneth Clark thought, that in practice they would not normally approach the subject from the journalistic point of view. Mr. Kirkpatrick observed that the chief difficulty was the absence of stories in the present phase, and Mr. Ryan supported his view that it was essential not to use sensational stories which were not well vouched for. Sir Kenneth Clark promised a further report by Wednesday.
Lord Perth observed that there was still among certain sections of the people some undercurrent of feeling that the Allies had some direct responsibility in bringing about the war, which might have been avoided had Hitler's various offers been accepted. These views should be controverted by quotations from “Mein Kampf” and from the statement made by Count Ciano in January which made it clear that Germany and Italy in association with her were determined on world domination. Lord Perth undertook to provide the information on this point.
2.
DISSEMINATION OF GERMAN COMMUNIQUÉS BY REUTERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Sir Walter Monckton referred to a report by Professor Rushbrook Williams that the publication through Reuters of the German communiqués in the Middle East, particularly since they were often unaccompanied by any material from our own side, was having a very bad effect and should be stopped. It was pointed out that Reuters themselves had expressed a desire for guidance, and the agreement with Reuters, though not binding
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Reuters directly to accept orders from the Government, provided for close co-operation. The omission of the German communiqué from the Reuters Service could not be applied selectively to the Middle East, nor was it likely to have an effect whatever in diminishing the publicity for that communiqué, since it would be received from numerous other sources. The objections to it in the present circumstances was mainly that in those quarters where Reuters were known to be in association with the British Government publication of the German communiqué uncontradicted would be taken to imply that it was true. We could approach Reuters on the ground that we pay them for wordage and do not consider that this allowance of wordage should be taken up with material which would be available in other ways. It was agreed that the responsible Division should be instructed to approach Reuters with the object of removing the German communiqué from their bulletin.
Mr. Ryan observed that it would be fatal if this decision led us to relax our efforts to put out counter material. The Director General pointed out that what Professor Rushbrook Williams needed was not so much the suppression of the German communiqué, but the issue of such material as there might be which would neutralise its effects.
3.
WARNING THE PUBLIC ABOUT BOMBING
Mr. Macadam reported that the Air Ministry were becoming anxious that the population should be warned that if mass bombing attacks were made on this country a certain number of bombers must inevitably get through. Sir Walter Monckton referred to a report by Air Vice Marshal Blount based on his experience as Air Officer commanding the Advanced Air Striking Force. The moral effect of bombing was at first likely to be very great, but people tended to get used to it, and the actual loss of life was considerably less than they might expect from the noise and general effects. The public might be prepared by the fact that our own bombers have had no difficulty in flying over Germany by night, although the Germans had at one time said that they would regard it as defeat if any British bomber did so.
It was reported that the Ministry of Home Security had in hand a further evacuation scheme which they thought might impress public opinion so strongly that it would be unwise to combine these two shocks at the same time. The general feeling was, however, that this was a mistaken view and that everything on the subject should be said at once. The evacuation scheme was to be discussed at the Cabinet that morning, and it was agreed to reconsider what was to be done after the Cabinet decisions were known.
4.
MR. HULTON'S PROPOSALS
Correspondence from Mr. Hulton was referred to.
Certain journalists had put forward a publicity scheme and asked for an interview with the Minister. The documents had not been before most of the members of the Committee and the discussion was not pursued. The Minister expressed his willingness to see the persons concerned if they were considered to be of sufficient importance, and Sir Kenneth Clark undertook to look into the latter point and report to the Director General.
5.
HYDE PARK MEETINGS
Mr. Macadam reported progress. He was to start these meetings on a modest scale to be run by the London Region for a week.
6.
PRIME MINISTER'S FORTHCOMING STATEMENT
The Minister observed that the Prime Minister had spoken of broadcasting the next day, after his statement in the House. The broadcast would be specially addressed to the U.S.A. The Minister had raised with him once more the question of broadcasting his statement in the House, either directly or recorded, and although he had at first been much opposed to the idea, he had in the end appeared to be ready to consider it further. Various difficulties were mentioned, but it was generally agreed that the occasion was one of such importance that great efforts should be made to overcome objections. Mr. Tree undertook to verify that the Prime Minister had in fact withdrawn his objection, and if this were verified, to see Colonel Verney forthwith to obtain from him the Speaker's view as to how the permission of the House should be obtained. Lord Perth favoured a record rather than direct speech, since if circumstances required it the speech could be withheld. The B.B.C. representatives were understood to favour direct speech if it could be managed. If Colonel Verney advised that a Motion should be prepared, Mr. Tree undertook to draft it.
7.
POSITION CREATED BY DISCONTINUATION OF THE VATICAN BROADCASTS
Lord Perth said that the discontinuance of the Vatican broadcasts made it important that we should do all we can to intensify Catholic considerations in our approach to Spain, etc. He was discussing with the B.B.C. how this point could be met within the existing programme allocation. Mr. Wellington observed that whatever it was found possible to do might well be supplemented effectively by making use of other stations, such as Andorra, and undertook to look into this.
DECISIONS
MEMBER CONCERNED
1. That a further report on the Home Morale Campaign should be prepared for the meeting on June 19th.
Sir Kenneth Clark
2. That information should be collected to controvert the view that the Allies had some direct responsibility for the war.
Lord Perth
3. That Reuters should be approached with the object of removing the German communiqués from their news bulletin.
4. That it should be verified that the Prime Minister had withdrawn his objections to his speech in the House being broadcast, and that if necessary a Motion to this effect should be drafted.
Mr. Tree.
5. That the question whether such stations as Andorra could be used effectively to supplement the B.B.C. in order to intensify Catholic considerations in our approach to Spain, etc.
