Memorandum, State Department Daily Summary of Opinion Developments

Daily SUMMARY OF OPINION RESTRICTED DEVELOPMETS D E P A R T M E N T F S T A T E No. 963 August 27, 1948 GERMANY Gautious optimiem is the theme of most news stories this morning which also report the likelihood of an agreement on four=power ourrenoy negotiations in Berlin. The N.Y. Times, con- ceding that such an agreement might look like "the mountain producing a mouse", believes that at least it would prevent a further aggrava- tion of the aituation°. The N. Y. Herald Tribune, noting the exas- perating" seorecy at MOEDOW, see good reasons for it. The Herald Tribune thinks it likely there will result an agreement "on the nare rowest possible basie son the Berign currency and the blockade. Meanwhile, strong impatience with the Moscow talke comes from the Philadeiphia Inquirer and the Detroit Free Prene. The Inquirer calle it exceedingly 'trange. o that Amerioan negotiators must cool their heels in Moscow while Stalin and his stooges decide whether or not the Four-Power agreement over Berlin should be lived up to. How long is this diegraceful aituation to be endured? The Free Proes commente, are on the losing and of an endurance test. The Taot is that wa are getting exactly nowhere in our efforts to prooure an agreement with Moscow regarding Germany or anything else In other comment Folix Morley (NBC) renews his attack on reparations policy Planned destruction gtill goes merrily ahond. While the Army tries to build up Western Germany aa a barrier against Communism, the State Department operates to weaken this barrier* DEAN OF CANTERBURY Further oriticiam of the State Department'e de- nial of a visa to Dr. Johnson. Dean of Canter- bury, comes from the New Orleane States, Birminghem Age-Herald, Chi. Sun-Times and N. X Poste-the New Orleans paper asserting: We are inclined to think that the U. S. vill lose nore than it stands to gain from closing the door to the Red Dean. Russia and the satellite countries can make effective propaganda use of this aituation" The Watertown Timen however, declares that just a.e soon let him miss out on his trip to America" ==-a sentiment shared by the Louieville Courier-Journel and the Detroit Free Press. "It is interesting to read of him prating of denial of free speech³ for him in the says the when "thore ie no free speech at all in the Soviet Union, which the venerable dean admires 80 much". DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guideline, June 12, 1979 By NLT- HC NARS, Date 11-13-10 F PUBLIC STUDIES OFFICE PUBLIC AFFAIRS