David Lawrence to Woodrow Wilson

For the next six months, at least, we will be engaged in tasks of preparation against Germany. Our forces will be in the process of miobilization. During that time, it seems to me vital thatv attention be given to the moral effect which detailed news of our tremendous preparations could have on the German people. I know that one of the departments is arranging for a domestic fcensorship. We can regulate that at home from day to day, but some one ought to be devoting himself to the censorship of matter sent from this country not alone to Germany but to Holland and the Scandfinavian countries. The purpose of a censorship is not alone to suppress military information but to see that certain things do get publicity. I am wondering, for example, whether the foreign correspondents will are being permitted to send by wireless now, or will be later , such things as the request for $3,400,000,000 of Congress, the loan to the Allies etc. How disheartening all these things will be to the German people if these items really reach them; and, so far as we are concerned, we ought to see that the disptatches at least get started on their way to Germany or neutral countries from which they can trickle slowly across the German border. Besides the question of viséeing and influencing the sending of certain news to Europe, the problem of a pro-American propoganda to thwart German intrigues in Central and South America is, I hope, being studied. I am enclosing a letter which I have sent to Mr Lansing at his request outlining a plan for the latter. I have thought you might care to read it over since if such a thing is undertaken it will require a liberal expenditure.