---
title: Wireless and Cable Service
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/26-wireless-and-cable-service/
description: Wireless and Cable Service, from Complete Report of the Chairman of the Committee on Public Information by George Creel, Chairman, Committee on Public…
section: FRAME
---

![Illustration: an interwar radio-and-newsreel intelligence collage with a 1930s map of Europe and propaganda poster proofs.](https://propagandaarchive.org/static/generated/detail/hero-interwar.jpg)

[Library](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/) · Report · [Complete Report of the Chairman of the Committee on Public Information](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/)

# Wireless and Cable Service

This text

- **Work:** [Complete Report of the Chairman of the Committee on Public Information](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/)
- **Author:** George Creel, Chairman, Committee on Public Information
- **Published:** 1920

Full details

- **Rights:** A work of the United States government, printed by the Government Printing Office in 1920, so not protected by copyright in the United States (17 U.S.C. 105) and in the public domain by age as well. The Library of Congress states that it is unaware of any copyright restrictions on the item.

Chapters

1. [Letter of Transmittal and General Survey](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/01-letter-of-transmittal-and-general-survey/)
2. Part I: The Domestic Section
3. [Work of the Domestic Section](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/02-work-of-the-domestic-section/)
4. [The Voluntary Censorship](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/03-the-voluntary-censorship/)
5. [Division of News](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/04-division-of-news/)
6. [Division of Civic and Educational Cooperation](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/05-division-of-civic-and-educational-cooperation/)
7. [Division of Production and Distribution](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/06-division-of-production-and-distribution/)
8. [Four Minute Men](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/07-four-minute-men/)
9. [The Speaking Division](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/08-the-speaking-division/)
10. [The Division of Advertising](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/09-the-division-of-advertising/)
11. [Film Division](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/10-film-division/)
12. [Bureau of Distribution of the Division of Films](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/11-bureau-of-distribution-of-the-division-of-films/)
13. [Educational Department of the Division of Films](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/12-educational-department-of-the-division-of-films/)
14. [Scenario Department of the Division of Films](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/13-scenario-department-of-the-division-of-films/)
15. [Bureau of War Expositions of the Division of Films](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/14-bureau-of-war-expositions-of-the-division-of-fil/)
16. [Bureau of War Photographs of the Division of Films](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/15-bureau-of-war-photographs-of-the-division-of-fil/)
17. [Official U. S. Bulletin](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/16-official-u-s-bulletin/)
18. [The Service Bureau](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/17-the-service-bureau/)
19. [Division of Exhibit at State Fairs](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/18-division-of-exhibit-at-state-fairs/)
20. [Division of Syndicate Features](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/19-division-of-syndicate-features/)
21. [Division of Women’s War Work](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/20-division-of-women-s-war-work/)
22. [The Bureau of Cartoons](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/21-the-bureau-of-cartoons/)
23. [Division of Business Management](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/22-division-of-business-management/)
24. [Division of Work with the Foreign Born](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/23-division-of-work-with-the-foreign-born/)
25. [Showing America to the Foreign Press](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/24-showing-america-to-the-foreign-press/)
26. Part II: The Foreign Section
27. [Work of the Foreign Section](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/25-work-of-the-foreign-section/)
28. [Wireless and Cable Service](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/26-wireless-and-cable-service/)
29. [Foreign Press Bureau](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/27-foreign-press-bureau/)
30. [Foreign Film Activities](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/28-foreign-film-activities/)
31. [Foreign Picture Service](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/29-foreign-picture-service/)
32. Reports from Foreign Commissioners
33. [Report on the Work in Mexico](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/30-report-on-the-work-in-mexico/)
34. [The Work in France](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/31-the-work-in-france/)
35. [The Work in Holland](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/32-the-work-in-holland/)
36. [Work in Switzerland](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/33-work-in-switzerland/)
37. [Work in Italy](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/34-work-in-italy/)
38. [Work in Spain](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/35-work-in-spain/)
39. [Work in Denmark](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/36-work-in-denmark/)
40. [Work in Russia: General Introduction](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/37-work-in-russia-general-introduction/)
41. [Work in Russia: The Installation](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/38-work-in-russia-the-installation/)
42. [Work in Russia: Siberian Activities](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/39-work-in-russia-siberian-activities/)
43. [Work in Russia: Archangel](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/40-work-in-russia-archangel/)
44. [The Work in China](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/41-the-work-in-china/)
45. [Work in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/42-work-in-argentina-uruguay-and-paraguay/)
46. [Work in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/43-work-in-peru-ecuador-and-bolivia/)
47. [Other Work in South America](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/44-other-work-in-south-america/)
48. [Work in Sweden and Norway](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/45-work-in-sweden-and-norway/)

[← Work of the Foreign Section](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/25-work-of-the-foreign-section/) [Foreign Press Bureau →](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/27-foreign-press-bureau/)

**Content note:** Quotes wartime anti-German language, including "Hun", and period terms for racial and national groups. This object is shown as it was published. [Why](https://propagandaarchive.org/about/#as-it-was)

" COMPUB,"asits cable code address, has come to advertise it throughout the world, was organized in September, 1917, to meet a pressing need. Enemy propaganda, always exceedingly active, concentrated almost immediately upon America when we entered the war, seeking clearly and persistently to attribute selfish motives to us or persistently belittling the war effort which America might hope to make.

The United States, alone of the great nations of the world, had never conducted a propaganda movement. For years preceding the war Germany had been secretly building a vast publicity machine in every corner of the earth, designed to overwhelm all foreign peoples with pictures of Germany's vast power, her overwhelming preeminence in industry, commerce, and the arts. German agents, carefully selected from among her journalists and authors, neglected no opportunities for presenting Germany's case to readers of every language. Her commercial firms linked a propaganda of liberal credits with this newspaper campaign throughout the world.

Great Britain, through Reuters, likewise conducted a governmental propaganda. France had official connection Avith the Havas agency. Both England and France, through ownership or liberal subsidy of certain great cable arteries, could direct currents of public opinion in channels favorable to themselves. Other nations had publicity machines of varying types.

America controlled no cables; manipulated no press associations; operated no propaganda machinery of any type. America was therefore an easy target for the perfected machinery of the German propaganda system. Even the news which was sent day by day from America was for the greater part by far transmitted over cables controlled by foreign governments; more than that, it was almost entirely written and prepared by foreigners. True, these writers were at the time of America's entrance into the war, intensel}^ sympathetic, but not fully acquainted with America or the Americans. Even the firmest friends of America could not know the nation's heart and soul as a native American could. Germany herself, with all her expensive propaganda organization in the United States from 1914 to 1917^ did not read the heart of America aright. But that German publicit}^ organization, with customary German thoroughness, devoted much time during its stay in the United States to mapping out future campaigns in which the United States should be attacked by that most insidious weapon of modern warfare — the press of the world. How to meet the attack presented many problems.

The cables, practically all foreign owned, were at that time so clogged as to endanger even vital war business with their delays. The mail was uncertain. Moreover the need was for day by day fresh news. In this emergency. Secretary Daniels placed at the disposal of the committee the wireless stations of the United States, all under control of the Navy Department.

Mr. Walter S. Rogers, of Chicago, for years a close student of communication problems, was selected to be of the service, and Mr. Perry Arnold, cable editor of the United Press, was secured to serve as his associate. From the first it was determined that our service should be news, not biased viewpoint articles or arguments.

Through the active cooperation of Capt. D. W. Todd, Chief of the Naval Communications Service, arrangements were effected whereby the Navy undertook the sending of a limited amount of daily matter, and our first service was from Tuckerton to the wireless station of the French Government at Lyons. The French governmental authorities entered heartily into our plans, as did the great French press associations— the Agence Havas and the Agence Radio. After translation and distribution to the press of France the Paris office relayed the American matter to the committee's representatives in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, and other near-by nations.

The next step in the world dissemination of news came through arrangements heartily entered into by the British Government. The same wireless report sent to Lyons was intercepted by American Navy operators at the American naval base, and relayed to London, where the representatives of the committee received it, and distributed it to the Englisl) press.

Following the establishment of offices in Paris and London representatives were sent to open American publicity centers in Rome, Madrid, Berne, Petrograd, Moscow, The Hague, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Christiania.

South America had long been a fertile field for German propaganda, and through the courtesy of the Navy Censorship, Lieut, F. E. Ackerman, a journalist of wide experience, was sent on a tour of South America to study methods of news distribution, to organize Compub offices, and generally plan to get America's story before our Pan American friends. He visited Pernambuco and Eio de Janeiro, Santiago, Lima, Valparaiso, Buenos Aires, and numerous other South American cities. Offices were opened at all focal points ; and, with the hearty cooperation of American diplomatic and consular officials, soon had an intensive publicity campaign on throughout South America.

Another agent of the division, Mr. J. E. McConaughey, was sent to Central America. He performed a similar work of organization in that section. Mr. John Collins was " borrowed " from the Panama Canal Board, and organized an office in Panama City for the relay of dispatches from New York to Central American points. The Naval Communications Office instituted a special sending circuit to Darien, Panama, to take care of a special service, which was turned over to Mr. Collins, translated and relayed by him to many cities in Central America, where no other news was received from any source.

The trans-Pacific work had by this time so increased that organization of an office in San Francisco for preparation of propaganda matter was imperative. Mr. W. B. Clausen was " loaned " to the division by the Associated Press. He began the preparation of a report averaging 500 words daily, which was transmitted by the Navy wireless from San Francisco to Pearl Harbor (Honolulu, Hawaii), thence relayed by Navy wireless to Manila, P. I., and intercepted at Guam by the Navy wireless system there. At Guam this report was sent by cable north and south — north into Japan and south into China. At China the matter was received by Mr. Carl Crow, a Compub agentj and by him distributed through a specially organized Chinese- American news service. Mr. Crow also relayed matter to American soldiers in Siberia. In Japan the matter was received by both the Kokiisai and the Nippon Dempo agencies and used by them as they saw fit.

As the importance of the work became apparent and its results showed, the service increased its output. The regular wireless " report " was increased in size, the Navy's splendid efficiency in radio transmission permitting this expansion. Utilization was also made of tl\e cables. Where some important official statement was released and publication desired abroad, this division, with the cooperation of the Foreign Press Association and correspondents, sent such statements for simultaneous delivery and release.

DISSEMINATION OF PRESIDENT WILSON 's SPEECHES.

Early in its history the committee recognized the importance of distribution throughout the world of the speeches and message to Congress of President Wilson. The President of the United States was looked upon as the spokesman for the Allies. It was he who sounded the keynote of America's policy in the war. All foreign newspaper correspondents in the United States had always regarded the utterances of the President as most important. But because of the congestion on the cables, no less than the enormous expense of cable tolls, it was difficult to expect that President Wilson's messages and speeches would be printed in full in European newsjDapers. Not only this, but it was found that the crafty German propaganda machine had no scruples in issuing false translations of speeches by President Wilson nor suppressing great sections and circulating the incorrect text, not alone in Germany but in neutral nations.

This division therefore undertook the work of distributing these keynote speeches textually, at first to England. France, Italy, and Russia, then, in response to a demand, to the four quarters of the civilized globe.

The Foreign Press-Cable Service could not have undertaken this vast work except by the heartiest and fullest cooperation of the great world press agencies. The Foreign Press Division paid the cable and telegraph tolls on the speeches and messages, plus a small overhead charge, which only partially covered the immense expenditure of time and energy in the distribution. The great Agence Havas and Agence Eadio were equally helpful. So was the Maison de la Presse, the official French Government propaganda agency. Renter's aided in handling messages to the Pacific and the Orient. The American press associations, the Associated Press and United Press, together with the Agence Havas, aided in distribution in South America.

The following outline of how these speeches or messages of President Wilson were circulated throughout the world will illustrate how thorough a scheme of distribution was eventually devised :

England. — Message sent (in one sending) with multiple address to Renter's, Exchange Telegraph, Central News (all three being the principal British news services), and to Compub (the code address of this division in London). Distributed throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales by these news agencies.

France. — Message sent (in one sending) with multiple address to Agence Havas, Agence Radio, Maison de la Presse, and Compub. Distributed by these agencies to the whole of the French' press, translation being made by each service.

Italy. — Served through the Italian press associations and Compub in Rome, the Italian associations receiving text from the French associations with which they had arrangements for interchange of news.

Spain.— Serwed through Spanish press associations and Compub in Madrid by cooperation of the French news agencies which dealt with branches in Spain and likewise through agents of the French propaganda service.

8ivitzerland.—Sev\ed by telephone from Paris to Compub offices in Berne, where a representative of the Committee on Public Information had effected arrangements with several Swiss news agencies.

Holland.— Sewed through Renter's agency and Compub's offices in The Hague.

Scandinavia.— Served through Renter's subsidiary agencies and by Compub representatives in Stockholm, Christiania, and Copenhagen, and also through cooperation of American diplomatic and consular representatives.

mcssia.-Sevyed through Compub representative in Archangel by cooperation of the British Government controDing the cable from England to Russia.

Australasia.— Sewed through the Australian Press Association and branches of Renter's throughout Australia, New Zealand, and other South Sea Islands.

Japfm.— Served through the Kokusai News Agency (a subsidiary of Renter's) and the Nippon Dempo, an independent news agency.

1210.33—20 8 Cliina. — Served through Shanghai and Pekin through cooperation of Renter's and with assistance from a Conipub representative in Sliangliai.

Siberia. — Served by relay tlirough Vladivostok from Compub's replesentative in Shanghai and also by wireless intercepted at Vladivostok and Omsk by Compub offices.

South America. — Served through cooperation of American diplomatic and consular officials, Compub's own representatives at Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima, and Santiago de Chile, and the Agence Havas, the Associated Press, and the United Press.

Central 'America. — Served through special arrangements with the Central and South American Cable Co., which handled " drop " copies of all messages to scores of stations on both coasts, which were distributed through cooperation of American diplomatic and consular agents. The Compub Division also maintained an office at Panama, which aided in such distribution.

Mexico. — Compub's own representative at Mexico City handled all such messages, aided by cooperation of the United Press.

India^Sev\ec\ through branches of Reuter's Agency.

South Africa. — Served through branches of Reuter's Agency.

Greece. — SerAed through the French Government's cooperation by dt'livery of matter to Salonika.

Egypt. — Served through Reuter's Agency.

Miscellaneous. — Practically all messages were " broadcasted " from all American wireless stations of the United States Naval Communications Service for information of ships at sea and for interception by whatever stations desired to listen in.

Canadian press associations carried all presidential speeches, through their relationship with American press associations.

Liberia received all speeches and messages by mail from the nearest point.

Teheran, Persia, got all such matter textnally from Aden.

Special effort was made by Compub's representatives in Switzerland and Holland to secure publication of all such documents in newspapers which it was known circulated extensively in Germany.

Enemy Propaganda Studied

Throughout its history, Compub, through cooperation with the Army and Navy intelligence offices, kept in the closest possible touch with the trend of enemy propaganda. Its agents abroad reported on conditions frequently and in the New York office certain employees were detailed regularly to read and analyze all German propaganda material received here — a great part of it being wireless matter sent by the great German wireless station at Nauen and intercepted by the United States Navy Communications station. By a cooperative arrangement with the publicity offices in America of our Allies, this office likewise distributed to the American press all of the official British propaganda wireless material (intercepted by the American wireless stations) and on occasion special announcements "broadcasted" by the stations of the French and Italian Governments.

Special Mexican News Service

Mention has been made of the work of this division in givino- news to Central American towns which had never before received a regular news report. In this work Compub was not departing from its rule never to compete with organized press agencies, for the simple reason that no press associations were entered in this field. The success of the experiment led to the establishment of a regular news service for afternoon newspapers in Mexico. Mr. Eobert H. Murray, the committee's agent in Mexico City, reported that no private press agency served any afternoon newspapers in Mexico. He detailed how susceptible these newspapers were to subtle German propaganda and how their confidence might be gained for the United States if a brief world news summary were delivered to them.

With due consideration to the fact that one great American press association — the Associated Press — was already serving morning newspapers in Mexico, and with its cooperation a 300-word service was filed from 9 a. m. to noon each day except Sunday. The service embraced world news of every character.

Of a similar character was the service inaugurated in February, 1918, and sent over the wires of the Haitian Cable Co. gratis. 1^ was a world-news report, covering " spot " news only, and the cable company sent it everywhere on its lines free of cost across the Caribbean into the Antilles and to the northern coast of South America.

SUSTAINING soldiers' MORALE.

Part of the work of Compub was to sustain Allied morale. Naturally, therefore, when means were under consideration to keep the morale of American soldiers at the highest possible pitch of efficiency, Compub was aslred to assist. The great need of the American soldier overseas was felt to be news of home and of home folks. What news was printed was mostly of national affairs or of the war. There was no newspaper in Europe which could afford the expense of cabling items of purely local interest to the boy from Helena, Mont., or of Milwaukee, or San Francisco, or Cincinnati, or scores of other American cities. What was wanted was tiny bits of " hoTiiie news " for soldiers — little local items which would keep him in touch with conditions in his home town, just as a letter from his chum, or his mother, brother, sister, or sweetheart, or wife would do.

The "home-news" department of the regTilar wireless report of the Foreign-Press-Cable Service was a development of this idea. The American press was combed by readers in the New York offices for " homy " news. A report of nearly 1,500 words daily was prepared from these small items of news, none of which in themselves averaged more than 50 words each. Every effort was made to cover the whole of the United States.

In the distribution of this matter to the soldier overseas the Foreign-Press-Cable Service had the cooperation of all American welfare services — ^the Young Men's Christian Association, Eed Cross, Knights of Columbus, Young Men's Hebrew Association, Salvation Army, and others — as well as the Army authorities. The latter granted permission for transmission of these home-news items over Army wires from Paris to the front. The welfare organizations received copies in the huts close to the front and posted them for the benefit of the soldiers. Several welfare organizations in London and Paris printed a daily " newspaper " composed of these items and dispatched copies by mail to all recreatfon centers, hospitals, canteens, huts, etc., within reach. American sailors received them. Navy wireless operators copying them throughout the reach of the American wireless sending station.

Front News Service Established

Early in the summer of 1918, when American troops entered in the "Great push," the division felt it desirable still further to extend its services of information. Mr. Perry Arnold was sent abroad to study methods of news distribution and to organize a " news from the American front " service^ He reorganized the committee's offices in London and Paris, visited the branch at Madrid and employed Maximilian Foster, the well-known novelist and v/riter, as the committee's representative at the front with the American Army, after himself having started such a service.

This service from the front was cabled and wirelessed throughout the world. It sought to give a day by day analysis of what American troops were doing in the great war. It was an amplification of the daily communique as issued by the Army authorities. The division found Gen. Pershing's staff at Chaumont — American headquarters — in full sympathy with its plan of telling the world exactly what American soldiers were doing and Compub's representative Avas accorded the fullest facility in visiting the front and in transmitting his dispatches via Army wires.

Cooperation with the World Press

From the inauguration of its services Compub impressed on all correspondents of foreign journals in this country that the division did not mean to compete with any existing news associations or newspapers; that there was no thought of setting up an exclusive news agency for transmission of American official statements and the like; that the division existed solely as a liaison between the United States Government and the peoples of the world.

When the service was organized, it established headquarters at 20 Broad Street, New York City, in the same building with the Navy cable censorship. It was then felt that the division should be in the closest touch with the day by day dispatches via the cables. It was part of the duty of the division to study the trend of thought exhibited in these dispatches and to aid in the development of certain lines of information no less than in the suppression of certain harmful tendencies. In this work the division grew to be in a measure, an advisory office in connection with the censorship.

One of the most important achievements of Compub Avas the organization of the foreign correspondents, a group of more than a score of distinguished journalists representing great foreign newspapers and press associations. The corresj)ondents readily appreciated the value of membership in an organization which was officially recognized by the Government, and granted special previleges and their association adopted by-laws stringently limiting membership to bona fide correspondents of foreign journals.

Mention of this particular phase of the division's work would not be complete without specific mention of the splendid spirit of cooperation manifested by the foreign correspondents themeselves. All were journalists of high standing— ^men of unique experience in world journalism. All entered heartily into the work of presenting to their readers — numbering millions throughout the world — the exact facts as to America.

The cooperation of the foreign press, which was thus forcibly brought to the attention of the division, resulted in a new line of activity. By this time the division had establivShed its own offices in a great many foreign capitals. Through these offices and representatives, it now undertook to supply special articles covering specific inquiries of foreign newspapers and periodicals. A great many foreign periodicals established " American Departments " and were supplied with special descriptive and feature articles by this division. Correspondents of foreign newspapers in America tiame to the division with requests for various matter or for permission to inspect certain American war activities.

Personnel of the Division

At the time of the signing of the armistice, the personnel of the division had grown from two employees — Mr. Eogers and Mr. Arnold — to the following :

New York office. — Walter S. Rogers (director), Perry Arnold, Herman Suter, R. R. Reilly, Frank S. Gardiner, Theodore Wallen, R. J. Rochon, Lieuts. F. E. Ackerman and P. S. O'Reilly, E. F. Wilson, Miss Smith and a staff of stenographers and typists.

San Francisco office. — W. B. Clausen.

Abroad. — Maximilian Foster, representative at the Amei-i can front; Paul V. Perry, in charge at London; A. M. Brace, in charge at Paris; John Collins, in charge nt Panama. In addition to these men, who devoted their entire time to handling the wireless and cable news, the commissioners of the committee, in charge in every capital, used these reports exclusively in their publicity campaigns.

POST-WAR WORK,

Immediately upon the signing of the armistice, orders were given to close every di'^dsion of the Committee on Public Information with the exception of the wireless and cable service. It Avas not only the case that there still remained the necessity of putting true reports of the Peace Conference before the people of the world, but the press of America itself demanded aid in telling the story of Paris to' the people of the United States.

The cables, already overburdened, became hopelessly jammed when an army of American newspapermen commenced to file daily dispatches in Paris for quick transmission.

Mr. Rogers proceeded to France at once, and after conference with the Associated Press, the United Press, the International News Service, and the correspondents of metropolitan dailies, it was agreed that Compub should make one sending by wireless of all textual matter»official in its character. A " loop " wire in the Compub office at New York permitted simultaneous delivery to all three press associations in New York.

At no time was " propaganda " attempted. Only the bare text was sent of official speeches, official statements and official routine, the matter used in common by all papers. Nor was censorship of any sort attempted. The one purpose was the relief of the cables in the interest of full and speedy transmission of Paris news to the United States.

In time it was seen that an even larger measure of aid was necessary, and Compub secured from the Navy an additional allowance of 3,500 words daily, which was handed over to the correspondents' association to be used as the members decided. Even this matter was not censored or supervised, except as to length. The correspondents handed their "stories" in to Compub at Paris ; they were transmitted over American army wires to the French wireless station at Lyon, and from Lyon thev went bv radio to the American wireless station at Ottercliffe, Me., manned by United States Navy Communications operators. Here the matter was copied and relayed by Navy wire to Compub in New Yorlc, and dispatched immediately to the addressee. GorresiDondents of newspapers throughout the United States made use of this service. It was generally speedier by two or three hours than the overcrowded cables. Moreover, no charge was made by the Navy or the Foreign Press-Cable Service for overseas transmission — the only cost to the addressee being the telegraph tolls from the New York office of the Compub to the newspaper. All matter was sent to the addressees without change of a letter. To handle it, the New York offices of Compub were put on a 24-hour basis, to make speediest relaj^ of press matter.

The practice of Compub in forwarding President Wilson's speeches and messages throughout the world was continued when the Chief Executive of the Nation went to Europe. The President was held to be the spokesman of the American idea and as such his utterances were waited for and read throughout the civilized world.

All of this informational work, as well as the relaying of dispatches to the American press, necessitated enlargement. Lieut. F. E. Ackerman, who had been temporarily assigned to work in another department of the Committee on Public Information, was brought back to handle a mail clipping service in charge of several clerks. Lieut. George S. Wheat, U. S. N. R. F., was detached from sea duty and assigned by the Navy Censorship to handle the day by day news summary. W. C. Garner, just discharged after overseas duty with the American Expeditionary Forces, was employed as cable assistant, having had extensive newspaper experience. Murdock Pemberton, recently released from the Navy after duty in the censorship department at New York, was employed as news editor. He likewise brought long newspaper training to the job. Elbert Severance joined the staff as cable assistant, after several years' newspaper experience. Additional employees were required for the night shifts.

On January 1 decision was made to discontinue the South V American service.

Summary

The total work accomplished by the Foreign Press-Cable Service may perhaps be best visualized by the following summary of actual wordage handled (estimated in part) :

Circulation of messages and speeches of President Wilson and other official statements.

Date. Nature of message. Point of origin. Number of words. Dec. 4,1917 Jan. S,191S Feb. 11,1918 Mar. 19,1918 Apr. 6,1918 June 7,1918 July 4,1918 July 14,1918 Aug. 5, 1918 Sept 2,1918 Sept 16,1918 Sept 27,1918 Oct. 2, 1918 Oct. 12,1918 Oct. 8,1918 Oct. 14,1918 Oct. 19,1918 Oct. 23,1918 Oct. 25,1918 Nov. 5, 1918 Nov. 6, 1918 Nov. 11,1918 Nov. 13, 1918 Nov. 13. 1918 Nov. 16, 1918 Nov. 23, 1918 Dec. 2, 1918 Dec. 14, 1918 Dec. 16, 1918 Deo. 22, 1918 Dec. 25, 1918 Dec. 26, 1918 Dec. 27, 1918 Dec. 28, 1918 Dec. 28. 1918 Dec. 28, 1918 Dec. 29, 1918 Dec. 30, 1918 Jan. 3, 1919 Jan. 3, 1919 Jan. 4, 1919 Jan. 6, 1919 Jan. 7, 1919 Jan. 24, 1919 Jan. 25, 1919 Jan. 26, 1919 Feb. 14, 1919 Feb. 14, 1919 Feb. 24, 1919 Mar. 3, 1919 Mar. 4, 1919 Mar. 27, 1919 Speech to Congerss Speech on fourteen points America's war aims Dutch shipping

Anniveisary of America's entrance into the war.

Address to Mexicans Independence Day speech Greetings to our Allies On San Salvador Re wheat prices Secretary Lansing's reply to A..ustria Speech on Liberty loan Women's suffrage

Germany's peace acceptance (statement) . Statements regarding Germany's peace feelers.

Reply to Germany's note Austria's peace note and reply Secretary Lansing's reply to Germany

President's appeal for honpartisanship in war.

Address to German Government Address to Rumanian Government Armistice terms Foodstuffs for G ermany Corrected armistice terms "ote to G ermany Presi'i'ent's message to Congress President's speecli President's speech to SociaUsts President's speech at Hotel de Ville President's speech, Sorbonne President's speecli, Christmas President's speech, Dover President's speech, Bucliingliam

President's speech at 1*; vangelical Church. President's speech replying to Lord Mayor

President's speech. Mansion House President's speech at Carlisle President's speech at Manchester President's speech in Itahan Parliament. . President's speech at Quirinal President's statement about Italian people President's speech at Palazzcone President's speech at Turin President's speech to 'War Council Resolutions of League of Nations President's speech to F"rench women

President's speech on covenant of League of ,"ations.

President's explanation of League President's Boston speech President's address to governors President's - "ew York speech President's statement re League Washington, D. C. do do do do

-do. -do. .do. -do. .do. -do. .do. -do. -do. -do.

.do. -do. -do. .do. do do.:... do do do do do .. Paris.. do do do do London do do do do do Manchester , Rome do do do Turin Paris do do do Boston Washington. New i'orlc. . Paris 3,831 2,680 2,476 1,160 1,727

3,520 1,514 156 169 360 100 2,710 700 331 430

670 407 S50 690 480 195 349 420 1,825 135 4,428 1,747 273 2,122 1,093 1,284 717 674 152 1,144 636 279 2,764 911 335 692 760 2,135 234 1,936 809 3,765 3,162 597 4,175 328

Total number of speeches and messages broadcasted 54

Total number of words broadcasted 69, 343

Summary of All Ser^'ices Prepared and Sent by the Division

\^ " Regular lairelessy — Inaugurated October 1, 1917. Then intended mainly for interception by the French wireless station at Lyon. Contained originally only brief news propa-

^ ganda articles, total service aggregating 1,000 words. Subsequently intercepted by British wireless stations; then by American operators at American naval base and relayed to an agent of the division in London, who distributed it to the v^ress. Length increased July, 1918, to 2,000 words, of which

^00 was " home news " prepared for dissemination to American soldiers and sailors. Again increased in size November, 1918, and a new department, that of editorial comment, added.

^' Total length now, 3,500 words. V- Russian mformational service. — Started October 1, 1917, as a daily cabled news summary to " Conipub," Petrograd, where distributed by agents of the Committee on Public In-

'' formation. Average daily length, 300 words. Later sent to Moscow ; then wirelessed by cooperation of French Government. Discontinued when committee withdrew its agents from Petrograd and Moscow. (See special Eussian service to Archangel. )

British sj)ecial service. — A cabled special service started in July, 1918 ; later changed to wireless. Carried special articles and news features of special utilization in British newspapers and periodicals. Sent biweekly. Averaged 300 words. Later increased to 700 words.

Special sei-vice for Greece. — Inaugurated as a cable service, sent fortnightly or weekly to London for relay by Eeuter's to

» Salonica and other Greek points. Later included in London daily special wireless, together with other specialized stories for Holland, Ireland, Spain, etc.

S fecial service for Holland. — Inaugurated as a weekly or occasional service to Holland. First conceived as indirect service by cable to various Dutch newspapers, the special articles being prepared by Mr. Henry Van Loon, of Cornell University. Later superseded by various news of interest to Dutch people sent to London in the special wireless service and by London relayed to the agent of the Committee on Public Information at The Hague.

Special service for Irish press. — Consisted of various articles of news interest to Ireland cabled weeldy (oftener on occasion) to London, and by London customarily handled to the Irish press through various British agencies. Later incorporated into special wireless service.

Special service for Archangel. — Took the place of the cabled service formerly sent to Petrograd and Moscow (see entry under Eussian information service). Was sent daily, or as often as desired, to London, being included in the special wireless, and by London relayed to the American consul at Archangel for his propaganda use and for his distribution to American soldiers at that front.

Special wireless service. — This was a " localized " section of the regular wireless report. It was wirelessed to London for London's distribution. It included specialized news for England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Scandinavia, and Greece, and other nations. Where the news was for London's relay to other countries, London customarily obtained its forwarding to those countries through cooperation of Renter's, Limited. The special wireless was sent daily and averaged 600 words.

Special cable service for " The Field.'''' — The Field, a British periodical of large circulation, was induced through representatives of the committee on duty in London, to arrange for an " American Department." In this department the division furnished a great deal of American publicity matter, including, generally, a special cabled article weekly. Aside from the publicity obtained in this magazine, the editor. Sir Theodore Cook, a great admirer of America and of Americans, took a keen interest in circulation of American news and through large personal acquaintance with British editors and journalists got them frequently to reprint articles appearing in his periodical.

Special cahle service for the National News. — The National News organization was a British propaganda agency operating throughout the British Isles and particularly in Ireland. Many special news articles were prepared for them and sent to the London offices of the Compub for distribution to them. The National News likewise rendered very valuable cooperation in the printing of pamphlets containing news facts concerning America and America's war efforts. S,pecial service to Haiti. — This was a special cable service circulated gratis through cooperation of the Haiti Cable Co. It consisted of a summary of the da3^'s news, approximating 400 words daily, which w*as prepared by this office and sent over cables of the Haitian Co. to all their offices. By these offices it v/as posted in various Central American and Caribbean cities or sold by the cable company's agents to various newspapers, etc. In this way many cities and communities otherAvise totally cut off from news of the world received adequate news summaries of the day's happenings and included therein plenty of true news of America.

Special service to Rome. — In May, 1918, the Committee on Public Information had established offices in Rome and was anxious to obtain matter prepared by this division for circulation in the Italian press. Cable delays were very irksome, and through cooperation of the Italian Government and the United States Navy Communications Service arrangements were finally effected for installation of adequate receiving equipment for wireless. A special wireless report of news of interest to Italians was inaugurated in the summer of 1918, but Avas temporarily discontinued, owing to mechanical difficulties in October, resuming in October. The average daily number of words was 500.

Special service to Mexico. — Inaugurated April, 1918, Avhen the division obtained a representative in Mexico City. The service was sent by cable and consisted of a Avorld news summary. Practically no attempt was made to insert propaganda matter into this report, since it was designed purely as a press association service for afternoon ncAVspapers, at that time not served by any private agency, and therefore very open to German propaganda " neAvs." Usually a copy of this special cabled service was cabled to the Texas-Mexican border (to American consular representatives, who made effective use of it). This matter averaged 300 words daily.

Special Scandinavian service. — Originally inaugurated as a triweekly cabled service, consisting of American news of interest to the Scandinavian countries. Started August, 1918. Later changed so that matter was included in the special wireless.

Trans-Paci-flc wireless service. — Started in December, 1917, being prepared by a special representatiA^e in San Francisco of " Compub." Was matter of particular interest to China, Japan, and the Philippines and Hawaii. Was sent by Navj; wireless from San Diego, received at Pearl Harbor (Honolulu) distributed to the press there; relayed from Pear] Harbor to Manila, distributed to the press there ; relayed by Manila on. The theory was that the Japanese Government stations would intercept it and distribute to the press, but mechanical difficulties always interfered. Later, through arrangement with the Navy Department, the Navy delivered a copy daily to the cable relay station at Guam, and this mat^ ter was thereafter filed from Guam by cable to Tokio (northward) and to Shanghai (southward). At Tokio it was received by the American Embassy and distributed to the press. At Shanghai, an agent of Compub received it and handled through a specially organized press association. He also forwarded the matter to Vladivostok.

Special Siberian service. — American troops received news at Vladivostok via trans-Pacific wireless route explained above. In the early part of 1919 Mr. Kogers, with cooperation of the French authorities, inaugurated a special wireless service on American news, sent from Lyons, France, for interception by American wireless stations at Omsk and Vladivostok, Siberia, and such other receiving stations as could decipher it. Total, 500 words daily.

South American daily special service. — Inaugurated in August, 1918. Sent by Central ai^ South American Cable Co. on what is known as the " drop copy " plan, viz, copy was taken at all stations between New York and Buenos Aires. Delivered to Compub offices in Buenos Aires, Lima, Santiago, and to American consular and diplomatic offices in all towns touched by the cable. Was a day by day news summary of matters of interest to South and Central Americans. Was received by a Compub agent in Panama, who relayed it to Central American points. Discontinued in January, 1919. Averaged 600 words daily.

South American xoireless service. — Inaugurated in January, 1919. Averaged 600 words daily, being news of specialized interest to Central and South America. Was sent by wireless and intercepted at Darien (Canal Zone) , and Eio de Janeiro (in fragmentary form, according to latest reports) . At Darien was turned over to Compub's agent, who forwarded to Central American points. At Eio de Janeiro was handed to the American Embassy, which distributed it.

Special service to Lima^ Peru. — A special service continued for one month (October-November) 1918, for specalized use in Peru. Was sent daily by cable, average 400 words, received by Compub's agent at Lima and distributed through his machinery.

Special service to Spain. — News of interest to Spain was originally included in the special wireless to London ; London relaying special news items as well as stories from the regular wireless which it was deemed might be of interest. Later Paris was niade the relaying agent. During the summer of 1918 it was found this was subject to great delays, so for one month a special cabled service was sent from New York, direct to Compub, Madrid, for special use by Compub's agent there.

Special editorial service. — (a) General: Included as part of regular wireless report in November, 1918. Averaged 500 words daily. Included extracts from editorials throughout the country on international topics. Mainly for advice of American peace mission.

(6) Special: Embraced hostile editorial comment which from its nature w^as thought best not to be sent by wireless because the enemy might make use of it, was therefore sent daily by cable, mainly for information of American peace mission. Averaged 400 ,words daily.

Special informational service for Araerican WASsion. — Sent occasionally when it was believed special currents of public thought might be of value to the American mission. Examples of this special service include: Full textual report of the Lodge-Lowell debate in Boston ; special editorial compendium on the League of Nations; special editorial symposium on the editorial as to Russia ; editorial comment on the Prinkipo Island conference, etc.

Daily neics summary. — Inaugurated immediately after, .^jnerican peace mission arrived. Was designed to give these American representatives a bird's-eye view daily of the main news topics as printed in American newspapers: how they regarded happenings of the day, etc. Averaged 1,000 words. Sent by wireless daily. During the time President Wilson was en route to and from Europe was intercepted by wireless aboard his ship and handed to the President for his information.

[← Work of the Foreign Section](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/25-work-of-the-foreign-section/) [Foreign Press Bureau →](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/27-foreign-press-bureau/)

Complete Report of the Chairman of the Committee on Public Information, George Creel, Chairman, Committee on Public Information. A work of the United States government, printed by the Government Printing Office in 1920, so not protected by copyright in the United States (17 U.S.C. 105) and in the public domain by age as well. The Library of Congress states that it is unaware of any copyright restrictions on the item. [Provenance and rights](https://propagandaarchive.org/library/creel-cpi-complete-report-1920/).