893.918/44: Telegram

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

661. My 657, July 31, 6 p.m.

1.
American editor-president of Peking Leader has just informed me that the newspaper has from today’s date been transferred to new ownership and control83 and that former incorporated company which will be liquidated as soon as possible has no connection with newspaper.
2.
Le Journal de Pékin, French newspaper published locally, was yesterday suddenly refused postal facilities. While censorship of Peking Leader was taken at orders of Nanking authorities, action against Journal de Pékin appears not to have come officially from Nanking but to have originated with local district Kuomintang which controls post office workers in disregard of higher postal authorities representing Nanking. No reason given for sudden action which is possibly in protest at editorials not altogether complimentary to present Government.
MacMurray
  1. The transfer was made to P. K. C. Tyau for Chinese owners, Tyau retaining Hunter as editor.