CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM REfcSASfc&SANiTIZED
(Specify Air or See Pouch)
NO.
2 jun1sf
Headquarters
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FROM LINCOLN
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^iaivtt fGENERAL Guatemalan Mattoro ^utwew (jpecipjc SydnQy Gruaon
1. There isono ran dum on tho subject prepared by Alan N. Reelfoot. This coversactivities in Koxico.
nA.*l jah0 subject's articles by LIHCOLM personnel indicates that their tone is definitely unfriendly to PBPHDXE pol-lcios and problems in Guatemala and Central America. Tho result 0 Unltod Stotos ond its actions in an unfavorable light. Gruson has more or less accepted the official Guatemalan lino with roapoct torecont arms shipments ond has decried Unitad 3tntos etatemonts and activities as unwarranted interference.
3. Gruson has habitually disregarded the opinions of independent papers and othor news outlets in Guatemala and elsewhere in Latin America; and some of his statements havo bean In conflict with Independent opinion. Por instance, the statement that the Department of State stand has unified the people of Guatemala is certainly subject to question end qualification. Gruson makes no attempts toalanced study of the views of difforont elements in the local society and business consnunity, nor does he give any space to the Ideas of prominent persons opposed to tho government policies. The not resultiased reportlanting of the news toreconceived attitude.
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Th? artloles of Gruson havo regularly been friendly to the Guatemalan Government, Thoy hnvo tended to laugh off the current fuoo and make light of any dangor Involved in tho path adopted byave provided excellent support fa? the ARBENZ regime, locally and abroad, and havo furnished ffood propaganda for the international Communist press. Reports from Guatemala Indicate that Gruson's activities haveharmful to the^activities of PBSUCCESS.
tV-sylncent/jpk
fstrlbutlon: Washage memo
Att:
KEMORAMXJX
2k
Sidney GRUSON
ocated in Mexico
City, was the subject of an investigation on the part
ntinued when it waa
2? lc was interested in both CRUSOH and his
heiCa covering
CKUSON first cane to our attention when his effects arrive in Vera Cruz, Mexico,merican Consul and the adminlatratlve section of the Embassy began to qui* all sections to ascertain whether or not State had failed to forward the usual travel order copies. ew days later the then-acting New York Times correspondent came to advise of the contemplated arrival of his successor and the fact that his background precluded anyone having close contact vith him, entioning hla name, he vas advised that someone by that name had shipped their household goods to the American Consult which fact did not surprise him and ho passed it off with "he is always pulling things like that.'" He was surprised, however, that he did this to the American Consul Inasmuch as heritish subject, having been born in Dublin.
After making the usual protocol visits, GRUSON spent considerable tine around the Embassy, giving the impression that he was expecting leads and information on behind-the-scenes diplomatic maneeuvering, inasmuch as his wifehad covered the State Department beat in Wasnlngton always received such valuable information." He did receive an off-the-record briefing shortly prior to the initiation of negotiations for the Mutual Military pact between the United States snd Mexico, which he immediately published, much to tbe consternation of the State Department. The story which he broke created an anti-American atmosphere which was immediately picked up and exploited by the Mexican Communist press and repeated elsewhere on the Hemisphere after Mexico refused to participate In tbe pact.
U. Shortly after his arrival GRUSON made contact with the leftist members of the foreign correspondent group with whom hoonstant working and social relationship as well as with extreme leftist fiexlcan groups and several of tne known Communist groups.
n tntorestlne to note tnat prior u> the departure oi tne
tT<^ aife were invited
L^ lnT b7 ttc Minl5ter- ^never ascertained whetheras the FBI coverage of the guests left much to be
QRUSON'a leftist associations, particularly during the Mexican presidential elections, caused suoh ill feeling among the Mexican officials who would have declared hienon grata" except for fear of recriminations. He defendod Lombards Toledano's political campaign, violently in some instances, during informal discussions, although he never had articles reflecting this viewpoint. He even spent three hours trying to convince the writer that Lombardo Toledano wascasoonist, snd that it was purely coincidental that his policy and statements, particularlyia the United States, were synomous with those of STALIN.
GRUSON'e parties or gatherings were heavily attended by known Contain 1st and anti-American Individuals, which usually resulted ln violent differences of opinion between the guestsradual reluctance by democratic thinking people to accept invitations to his borne. GRUSON, himself, claimed toocialist.
I was advised by his predecessor that he called the New Tork "Times attention to some of GRUSON's earlier reporting, particularly that extolling the Guatemalan agrarian reform, and was informed by his superiors that his crlticlsa was considered
Alan N. REELFOOT
Original document.
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