SECRET
P.C. PAPER. NO .21

Broadcast Interviews - Note by Sir Frederick Whyte.

TO: D.G.

FROM: SIR FREDERICK WHYTE

Please see the enclosed note from Eckersley on the subject of the broadcast interview which Sir Cyril Newall had undertaken to give to Murrow of the C.B.S. I understand that the cancellation was due to the necessity for considering the whole question arising out of the Ironside interview controversy. I have told Eckersley to hold his hand in the meantime; but I hope that the result of the controversy referred to will not be a complete veto on anything of the kind. Interviews of this character, either with the Cabinet Minister in charge of a War Department, or with the actual heads of the Fighting Services, are among our very best approaches to the United States.

(Initialled). A.F.W.

16th April 1940.

11th April 1940.

My dear Whyte,

You know, I expect, that after the C.B.S. had arranged with Sir Cyril Newall for an interview for broadcasting to America some ten days ago, it was cancelled at the very last moment after publicity had been given to the interview in the States. The reason for this decision seems a little obscure, but the story as it reaches me is that a general edict has gone out preventing all officers of high degree from broadcasting at all. Whether this was a decision of the Cabinet or otherwise, I do not know, but it seems to me the greatest pity if the Germans are going on using people like Raeder, Udet, and so on, that such a decision should have been made. I am also in the position of not knowing whether I am just wasting time in making any future approaches of this kind if asked to do so by the American Companies, and it would help me very much if you could let me know exactly what the position is, and, if it is what I believe it to be, to know whether it is possible that Sir John (should he feel like we do about it) would take the matter up with a view to getting such a ban removed. I am sure you will feel as I do about this matter and your help would be greatly appreciated not only by myself, but by the Americans.

Yours very sincerely,

(sgd.) ROGER ECKERSLEY

Sir Frederick Whyte, K.C.S.I.