893.711/14: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
125. Your telegram No. 69, February 19, 4 p.m. There have thus far been no further developments in the case. The Legation has kept in close touch with Fox through the Consul General at Tientsin. In consequence of a telephone message from Gauss last night I have today telegraphed as follows to the Consul at Nanking:
“February 21, 3 p.m. 1. Will you please communicate to Dr. C. T. Wang as under telegraphic instructions from me a personal message to the following effect:
I am greatly perturbed by what appears to be the wholly apparent and lamentably ill-advised action of the higher authorities of the Government in denying to the North China Star, a newspaper of American ownership and editorship, the further use of mail facilities. You will recall that on February 9th Mr. Perkins addressed to you in my behalf an inquiry as to the reasons for this action.
To that inquiry no reply has yet been received. Apart from the legal aspects of the matter—as to which I would rather not make an issue if it can be avoided—I cannot but feel that this action is not only unfair and unfriendly towards an American enterprise but especially unfortunate in forcing an issue as to the freedom of speech and of comment in regard to which (as you are in a position to realize) the American public and press are peculiarly sensitive. I trust that I may rely upon your sympathetic and wholehearted support to bring about a discontinuance of a discriminatory and confiscatory administrative measure which makes so conspicuous a public issue at a time when the Nationalist Government is particularly concerned to manifest alike its good will towards legitimate American interests and its capacity to deal justly with any such interests as it may be in a position to control or affect.”
- Telegram in two sections.↩