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March 9, 1943 Mr. Warren B. Walsh, Director Syracuse University Rumor Clinic Maxwell Hell Syracuse, New York Dear Mr. Walsh: I am very sorry that there has been so much delay in the "Spanish olive" story. However, I shall try to give you some information on that and on the subject of your letter of February 25 at this time. Recent public discussions of our relations with Spain have probably given you an idea of the difficulties that are encountered in trying to discover details of relations be- tween Spain and Germany. I have not been able to get such information in connection with the olive situation for you. I have, however, learned from the Department of Commerce something about the total volume of our olive imports. The following material may be of interest in that connection. I believe it might help in connection with your rumor con- trol program to point out how small the total volume of trade in olives is from point of view of evaluating it as a contribution to German war financing. The value of our imports from Spain for two types of olives between 1938 and 1942 may be represented by the figures below: Brine Green Pitted and Stuffed 1938 $1,574,000 $2,605,000 1939 1,417,000 3,000,000 1940 1,370,000 3,865,000 1941 1,174,000 3,475,000 1942 1,332,000 1,609,000 Concerning the fat collection campaign the story you reported represents a distortion similar to so many other part-truths when put in an improper context. nw