#5-102
Memorandum for the President
April 17, 1945 [Washington, D.C.]
Top Secret
I thought you would be interested in the following extract from our most
secret source.1
“On 14 April the following circular instructions were sent out to
Japanese officials in the Far East for propaganda dealing with the
death of President Roosevelt:
‘a. Do not make personal attacks on Roosevelt.
‘b. Do not convey the impression that we are exultant over
Roosevelt’s death.
‘c. Avoid observations such as that Roosevelt’s death will have
an immediate effect on the fighting spirit and war strength of the
United States.
‘d. Emphasize persistently and in detail the fact of Roosevelt’s
perseverance in the war, in connection with the various plans of the
United States both before and during the war.
‘e. Lay great stress on such things as the mistakes and discords
that will now arise in the anti-Axis camp, which even with the driving
force of Roosevelt has had great difficult in maintaining
cooperation.’”
Document Copy Text Source: George C. Marshall Papers, Pentagon Office Collection, Selected
Materials, George C. Marshall Research Library, Lexington, Virginia.
Document Format: Typed memorandum.
1. The source was a deciphered Japanese diplomatic communication, typically
designated as MAGIC; while ULTRA designated deciphered Axis military
communications of the German as well as the Japanese military.
Recommended Citation: The Papers of George Catlett Marshall, ed. Larry I. Bland and Sharon
Ritenour Stevens (Lexington, Va.: The George C. Marshall Foundation, 1981– ). Electronic
version based on The Papers of George Catlett Marshall, vol. 5, “The Finest Soldier,” January 1,
1945–January 7, 1947 (Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003), pp.
149–150.