793.94/10867: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 27—2:02 p.m.]
703. Embassy’s 697a, October 26, 5 p.m. Japanese inspired limitation of freedom of the local press has increased with the issuing yesterday of instructions by the local censorship office to the Chinese press forbidding publication of news of the attitude of foreign nations, of defeat or movement of Japanese troops, of Chinese victories, and of activities in Peiping of Mongol and East Hopei officials, as well as news derogatory to Japanese troops, encouraging to Chinese troops, derogatory to Mohammedans, and offensive to emperors. At the same time permission was granted to publish news with regard to collapse of National Government troops, victories of Japanese troops, excellent state of affairs in Manchukuo, cooperation between Chinese troops and Communists and between the National Government and the Soviet Union, and appeals for cessation of fighting and for peace, if attributed to the people’s will, as well as news praising the Japanese troops.
Repeated to Nanking and Tokyo.