Venona: FBI Documents of Historic Interest/Laughlin Memorandum 1951-08-31

by Leo Lemuel Laughlin

Office Memorandum ● UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TOP SECRET

TO: MR. D. M. LADD DATE: August 31, 1951

FROM: L. L. LAUGHLIN

SUBJECT: 
 

PURPOSE:

To record the results of a contact made by Mr. Reynolds with General Canine, Director of AFSA, relative to a request that consideration be given to making the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency aware of   material.

BACKGROUND:

Reference is made to my memorandum to you in the above-captioned matter dated August 14, 1951, which indicates that Captain Joseph Wenger, Deputy Director of AFSA, had advised Reynolds that he had received a request from   with AFSA, that the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency be made aware of   material. It is to be noted that   material received to date primarily related to the activities of the MGB in New York City during the period, May 1944 to May 1945, and, as such, is basically a United States internal problem with little, if any, relation to CIA responsibilities. A small amount of material relates to MGB activities in Australia and Great Britain. This material is furnished to   and investigations are handled by  .

The referenced memorandum recommended that the Bureau maintain the view that there is no reason to make General Smith or any other personnel of CIA aware of this activity or the contents of   material at this time. It further recommended that Mr. Reynolds contact General Canine, Director of AFSA, to acquaint him with the background of   as well as its importance to the FBI.

DETAILS:

Mr. Reynolds, contacted General Canine, at which time Mr. Reynolds briefed the General in the background of   material. Mr. Reynolds explained to General Canine the history surrounding the dissemination of   material. It was pointed out to General Canine that the Bureau feels that the material developed from this source is extremely important and must be held with utmost security.

General Canine stated he not intent to be pressured by   or anyone else into releasing any information developed by the Armed Forces Security Agency to any organization or individual who has no right to the information. General Canine advised Mr. Reynolds that he had been informed of the very close relationship between the Bureau and the people at AFSA who are working on   material as well as the great contribution the Bureau has made to the success that has been attained in the reading of this material. General Canine stated that he has been informed that the information developed from this material deals primarily ⟨with⟩ activities within in the United States and, therefore, there has ⟨been⟩ no reason to inform any other agency than the Bureau. General Canine pointed out that, if he was to inform General Smith of the contents of the messages which pertain to the Burgess - MacLean case, General Smith would probably desire to be advised as to the contents of other messages. He stated that, regardless of whatever assurances he might give to General Smith that the other messages contained no information of interest to CIA, General Smith would still desire to have one or own employees review the material to make certain that CIA would be completely apprised of the contents of all the material.

Mr. Reynolds pointed out to General Canine that the Bureau is not in a position to tell him to whom he should disseminate this information. Mr. Reynolds indicated that the Bureau did desire, however, that General Canine realize the importance of this material to the Bureau and that, in the event material was going to be made available to any other agency, the Bureau would like to be advised in order that the Bureau might voice an objection.

General Canine stated that he appreciates the significance of this material to the Bureau as well as the desire of the Bureau that it be held as closely as possible. He desired Mr. Reynolds to assure the Director that he will hold this material closely and not make it available to any other agency other than General Bradley, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, without first consulting the FBI.

ACTION:

There is to be no further action taken at this time relative to furnishing the material developed from   to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Liaison Unit, however, will continue to maintain a close contact with AFSA in order that the Bureau will be kept completely aware of any developments which might deal with the dissemination of this material.

 

I appreciate gen. Canine's attitude.

D