811.20200(D)/1–2848: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 28—10:30 p. m.]
169. Following is translation of article published in Nanking Independent Hsin Min Pao on January 28:
Dr. Hollington K. Tong, director of the Government Information Office, gave a speech at the Central Political University yesterday. He spoke on the subject “How to Change US Opinion of China.” Dr. Tong said that recently China has reached a new low in the public opinion of other nations, particularly that of America. It is not surprising that Communists and leftists should speak against the Government, but many US reporters, when they come across any corruption or graft, play up the cases, making the US public believe that [Page 62] the entire Chinese Government is corrupt. For instance the information office of a certain nation (USIS implied—Ed.) sent out a total of 66 news despatches between July and December 1947. Most of these despatches are copied or quoted from a certain newspaper. Fifty-nine of these despatches are unfavorable to China, one is neutral and only six show sympathy for the Chinese Government. The attitude of the information office is decidedly one-sided. Dr. Tong said that the first step towards the correcting of such unfavorable opinions abroad is to modify the public opinion at home. The people and the press should realize the many difficulties confronting the Government, and understand that an overnight reform is almost impossible. Dr. Tong expressed the hope that the press would stick to the truth. If the Government is not good, say that it is not good, but praises should be given when the Government deserves them.