893.711/13: Telegram

The Minister in China ( MacMurray ) to the Secretary of State

109. Department’s 58 [59], February 11, 6 p.m., paragraph [sentence] 2.49

[1.]
Gauss50 reports that on February 5th editor of the Star 51 received a communication from the local Postal Commissioner to the effect that the paper would be refused postal transmission as a result of instructions received from the Minister of Communications. Upon inquiry being instituted as to reasons for such action, the Postal Commissioner stated that his instructions directed him to withdraw postal privileges from the Star as it was stated to be of a seditious nature. This information was forwarded to Perkins with the request that he bring the matter to the attention of Wang and request an investigation of the reason for such arbitrary action. This was done but up to the present time no explanation has been received.
2.
Gauss subsequently informed the Legation that the local Commissioner for Foreign Affairs confirms the authenticity of a report appearing in the Chinese press in Tientsin to the effect that orders have been issued by the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang for the suppression of the paper, as well as the withdrawal of postal privileges.
3.
Gauss also informed the Legation that Fox reported that he had confidentially received private advice from a friend in the Nanking Foreign Office to the effect that the reason for the refusal of postal privileges was the publication of an article by the Peking representative52 of the United Press which appeared in the Star under date of December 17th and which was entitled “Kuomintang upset predicted to come within sixty days.”
MacMurray
  1. Not printed.
  2. Clarence E. Gauss, Consul General at Tientsin.
  3. Charles James Fox, American citizen and editor-publisher of the North China Star (American), Tientsin.
  4. Demaree C. Bess.