793.94/7161: Telegram
The Second Secretary of Legation in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 9—9:20 a.m.]
200. My 193, July 5, 3 p.m.29
1. On July 6 local press reported that the Central Political Committee of the Kuomintang had issued a circular order to party headquarters throughout the country directing the confiscation of copies of the New Life magazine and conveying a general warning against violating the Government mandate of June 10 prohibiting discriminatory or provocative speeches or acts detrimental to international relations, under which mandate the publisher of the New Life magazine and author of the offending article are facing trial.
2. A free translation of the Committee’s pronouncement is as follows:
“In May this year, the New Life weekly of Shanghai published an article insulting the Japanese Imperial family and caused ill feeling among the Japanese. Japan is famous for her loyalty to her ruling family and the way her nationals honor their Emperor is beyond imagination of the general public. A slight carelessness in writing or commenting may cause ill feeling among the Japanese. For a year, this Committee has repeatedly warned against such articles and in most of the cases, the warnings are carefully carried out.
It is most deplorable that the New Life weekly published such an article. While the Committee has adequately disposed of the case, a warning must be issued again to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future. You are, therefore, instructed to warn the publishers, newspapers and news agencies in your respective areas to take precautions against such articles.
In connection with the anti-Japanese movement, the central authorities have repeatedly given instructions that the National Government mandate on June 10 should be carried out. You are instructed to inform all of the comrades and at all times advise the people to faithfully obey these principles.”
3. The press reports that in an interview the chairman of the Central Publicity Committee stated that the Kuomintang members unanimously endorse the statements concerning policy toward Japan issued by Chiang Kai-shek and Wang Ching-wei on February 1st and 20 and the Central News Agency states today that the case is settled.
4. To the Legation and Department. To Shanghai and Tokyo by mail.
- Not printed.↩