LETTER TO ALLEN W. DULLES FROM (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000500430010-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 18, 2003
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: December 30, 1955
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For.ase 2003/03/28: CIA-RDP80R01731100500430010-3
~~?gyp STAT
December 30, 1955
Mr. Allen W. Dulles
2132 E Street, N. W..
Washington, D. C.
While browsing through the Army-Navy Club Library today, I came
across a copy of "The Goebbels Diaries", and inside there was
pasted a copy of your review of the book which appeared in an
April, 1948 issue of the New York Times. Your comments were
extremely well taken, and the review was excellent.
While still in college, I "discovered" Gustav Le Bon whose studies
in mob psychology and influence on the mass mind are basic to any
propagandist. That discovery led me to delve deeply into this
problem, since I had intended to make radio broadcasting my career.
I did so until 1941. In 1935, having watched Goebbels closely, read
his writings in German papers and subscribed to the GermanInforma-r- I ' STAT
which, taking the American Bill of Rights as a basis,
proceeded to smack hell out of Hitlerism-Fascism in what to me then
was the best Goebbels style. That series won national attention
STAT Later, in STAT
Germany, I went much more deeply into oe a s, finally turned up
the Diaries in question and used ten pre-war years of experience
to good effect in Radio RIAS. I tell you these things, first,
because you may be interested and, secondly, because I wish there
were a dedicated "Goebbels" available to our side today.
It always seemed to me that Goebbels' success was predicated on two
facts:
(1) First, his dedication to the cause of national
socialism and his complete sympathy with it, and
(2) Secondly, his utter devotion to Hitler personally.
Goebbels was the kind of complex character who would have been at
home on Madison Avenue in other times and other circumstances. He
was magnificently well informed, had an agile, active and inquiring
brain, was utterly ruthless, vicious and ambitious. But in the field
of knowing how to influence his people, he was without parallel. I
recall one statement he made as early as 1927:
AT
Approved For Release 2003/03/28 : Cl,
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December 30, 1955
"The Berliner will stand on his head for a cigarette".
How true that was in 19451
In view of Mr. Kruschev's violent reaction to President Eisenhower's
1 Christmas message, I wish we could exploit that to the limit through
every facility at our present command, some of which we have yet to
employ.
Very best regards to you in the New Year and all best wishes for
your good health and continued splendid service.
'ncerely,
I-TFH : rwb
PhonAudographed
STAT
Approved For Release 2003/03/28 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000500430010-3