811.91293/146: Telegram

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

331. My No. 261, April 4, 5 p.m.63

1.
United Press message from Shanghai reports that National Government has directed its Minister at Washington to request the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune to withdraw from China their respective Peking correspondents Abend and Dailey,64 on the ground of their unsympathetic attitude and alleged false reports.
2.
Minister for Foreign Affairs in conversation last March stated that Bess, Peking correspondent of the United Press, was unfavorably regarded and asked my assistance in bringing about his withdrawal from the country. Upon my stating that I had no legal powers in the matter but would be glad to consider any definite charges of wrongful conduct which might be formulated against him, Dr. Wang showed a reluctance to formulate any specific statement on the subject but intimated that means would be found to force him to leave. Bess however has not informed me of any pressure brought to bear upon him.
3.
Semiofficial announcement has been made of the decision of the Nationalist Government to have the Minister for Foreign Affairs approach the Legation with a view to removal of Sokolsky from China, but no communication to this effect has been received.
MacMurray
  1. See footnote 57, p. 758.
  2. Hallett Abend and Charles Dailey, American citizens.