LETTER TO THE HONORABLE ROBERT CUTLER FROM ALLEN W. DULLES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000900110029-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 29, 2004
• Sequence Number: 29
• Publication Date: February 8, 1954
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000900110029-4
The Honorable Robert Cutler
Special Assistant to the President
The ` hite House
Washington, D. C.
Dear hobby:
8 February 1954
I have gone over your note of 5 February with the
attached memos from _&oons and Bromley Smith about
'Silvery Dust. " I am also trying to. get the views of
State, Defense, Lewis Strauss and Ted Streibert. 1
am inclined to feel that something should be done here
and possibly we can discuss this at our CCf3 lunch.
Meanwhile, we are working to develop a 'cover story
so as to permit a wider showing of the film if we all
decide this is wise.
ad.acerely,
Allen W. Dulles
Director
A.WD:at:hea
Distribution:
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1 cc - Reading
1 cc - ER
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Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000900110029-4
 Approved For Release 2004/07/08: CIA-RDP80R01731 R0009
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February 5, 1951+
ET
I have been thinking over that movie which you were
good enough to show us.
What effective use, when usable, can be made of it?
We wish the "leaders" among our people to understand
better the nature of the poison the USSR seeks to spread falsely
in the world against the USA. These "leaders" are the intelli-
gentsia, the youth, the teachers, the press - just as in other
countries, though to a lesser extent.
The risk of showing the film generally in the US is
that it might be misunderstood by the least educated classes who
would not appreciate its significance; that it is technically so
poorly and turgidly and falsely dramatically done that it would
bore people.
But to the "leader" class, properly introduced, it
should provide a shocking revelation of wicked distortion.
Therefore, I would think it sjiould be shown to college
groups all over the country - students and teachers; to press
organizations; to foreign policy associations. A special showing
first might be made for the Congress, and thereafter it could be
released as a etc. film, obtained etc., and as first specially
shown to personnel of the National. Security Council and the Congress.
I think C. D.'s reaction would be most desirable to have.
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Honorable Allen W. Dulles
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington 25, D. C.
J,
ROBERT CUTLER
Special Assistant
to the President
SECRET
Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000900110029-4
 Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000900110029-4
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
February S, 1954
Agreed it, might be desirable.
However, effectiveness of film would
depend on several things. It is much
too long, and should. be cut. To get the
full effect of the dialogue, either sub-
titles should be added, or English voices
.dubbed. There should be a lead-in bit
of film with a talk by someone, or a text ex-
plaining what we feel is the significance,
or tragedy,of this sort of Soviet propaganda.
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Approved F r Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000900110029-4
 Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000900110029, SEC ET
February 5, 1951
GINERAL CUTLER:
`0 '~ P
My answer to the question which you asked in your letter to Mr. Dulles
would be along these lines:
1. The showing of this film creates a dilemma. I do not believe it should
be sponsored by the Government, since to do so tends to cast doubt on
its undoubted authenticity. I doubt that any camercial distributor would
consider showing it because of its lack of dramatic interest as a movie.
2. I doubt that there are very many intelligent people who would react strongly
to the picture, since there has been such widespread distribution of far
more horrible allegations printed in the Soviet press and reprinted in
the United States. For example, the fraudulent documents and pictures
portraying the behavior of U.S. troops during the intervention period in
Siberia and Archangel. These documents and pictures were reprinted in
Life and other nationally cireulat#d magazines during the height of the
a a America" campaign. Given the unbelievable level to which the Soviets
descended in this campaign, I doubt that the incidents depicted in the
movie would do other than confirm an opinion already held by intellectuals
other than fellow travelers.
3. One reaction to this movie is unquestionably that of frustration. That
can be done to stop it or to counteract it, Therefore, I doubt seriously
whether the film should be shown without the addition of something in..
dicating that there is a way to destroy this kind of poisoning of peopleta
minds in the Soviet Union_binee to say that this can be done by Voice
broadcasts would be quite A3riadequate ' E doubt that those who see this
picture would feel that the United Rates was responding appropriately.
In this connection, what would we want the people who saw this movie in
the U.S. to do about it? Unless we can advance some feasible way of
solving this horrible situation, I doubt that a response of "shock" could
be translated into healthy support of current U.S. foreign policy.
Certainly the behavior of Molotov in Berlin is adequate to convey the
character of the Soviet Goverment. This behavior may raise questions as
to whether we should even be talking to the Russians. The response to the
movie might be even more conclusive on this point. Until such time as we
are prepared to ask the American people to destroy the kind
that
permit the distortions in the movie, my personal
should not sponsor the showing of this film.
5. This film is in effect raw material. Conceivably, it might be used to
document a "March of Time"-type short showing Soviet mendacity. However,
whether or not such a film should be produced and released is questionable
in my mind.
y g1jPved For Release 2004/07/08: CIA-RDP80R01731 R000900110029-4
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