NATIONAL FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00610R000100130013-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 11, 2003
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: October 20, 1945
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2003/05/08 : CIA-RDP90-00610R000100130013-9
MEMORANDUM FROM GENERAL MAGRUDER TO
THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF WAR
This memorandum is of particular interest
because it indicates acceptance,on the part of the organi
zation which was formerly OSS of the control by a joint
group of the Secretaries of State, War and. Navy over the
proposed central intelligence organization.
Of still greater historical interest is the
concluding reference to a possible merger of the armed
services and the recommendation as to control of the
intelligence organization under such an eventuality.
It is particularly noteworthy that the date of this
memorandum was 20 October 1945.
Army review(s)
completed.
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CHtI
20 October 19 457
SORAfi T,1 'FOR
IE ASSISTANT SECRETARY 0? WAR
a CT a National Foreign Intellig-ince Agency
DISCTSSION
Reference memorandum, with inalosures, for the under.,
signed, from the Assistant Executive, Office of the
Assistant Secretary of War, dated 18 October 1945.
1. The Secretary of the Navy has proposed that the
Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy join is
vigorous support of a plan for the establishment of a
national foreign intelligence organization under a Direc-
tor charged with working responsibilities, who would
serve and report to the Secretaries of State, War and
=iavy, as a group.
2. The rated for such a foreign Intelligence service
has long existed and has been heavily underscored by the
national experience during the war just ended.h impli-
cations of the pivotal position which the United States
occupies in world affairs, and the incalculable conse-
quences of the release of atomic energy, call for the
1uaediato establishment of such an organization.
3. In the judgment of the undersigned, the essential
elements of such a national foreign intelligence organize-
tion are the followings
a. A national foreign intelligence organization
must be regarded, and effectively serve, as the instru-
ment of any and all parts of the national government
concerned with national security or foreign policy. Since
it is the Departments of State. 'War and navy which arc
most directly and immediately concerned in those matters,
it Is appropriate that they should coordinate the foreign
Intelligence activities of the federal government and
exercise joint supervision over such a national foreign
Intelligence organization.
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b. The national foreign intelligence organization
should serve as the central agency within the government
for the comprehensive analysis and synthesis of information
concerning foreign nations. All departments and agencies
of the government which collect such information, whatever
may be the manner of collections should be required promptly
to deposit with the national foreign intelligence organiza-
tion such part of the information collected in such form
as may be required by the national foreign intelligence
organization. The information thus deposited will be col-
lated analysed and incorporated into comprehensive studies,
This is not intended to interfere with the appropriate ac-
tivities of the several agencies now engaged in the collec-
tion of such information, It is designed to accomplish the
pooling of their product. Such a pooling is essential to
bring togetherg for presentation to those charged with res-
ponsibility for the formulation of national security and
foreign policy, the comprehensive picture necessary to the
proper discharge of their responsibilities.
a. The national foreign intelligence organization
should also be the national instrument for the procurement
of foreign intelligence by clandestine means. The collection
of foreign information by avert means by the foreign se, vice
of the State Department, and by military and naval attaches
and other agencies of the government must $ of course v continue
But there is important information, vital to the security of
the United States, which cannot be obtained except by clan~_
.destine means. Such secret intelligence procurement would
include both espionage and counter espionage.
d,.. The national foreign Intelligence organization
should not engage in the procurement of intelligence by
secret meant within the United States. Its clandestine
intelligence procurement operations would be concerned
exclusively with areas outside the United States.
e. The national foreign intelligence organization
should not have any police power.
-t'a- The national foreign intelligence organization
should have its own independent budget.
g. The national foreign intelligence agency
should be so tr gaanized as to have great flexibility and
to be able to maintain complete security of operations.
ACTION RECOMWDZD
That the Secretary of War join with the Secretar,
of the Navy in strongly supporting the proposal.: for
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establishment of a foreign intelligence agency, organized
in accordance with the principles hereinabove set forth,
under a Director who would serve and report to the Secre-
taries of State: War and Navy? as a group. If there should
be a merger of the armed forces, the supervisory group
might well consist of the Secretary of State and the secre-
tary for the armed forces. .
JOHN MAGRUD
Brig. General
Director
aECRET
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