125.7146/12–1448: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Peiping (Clubb)
262. Urtel 538, Dec 14,19 rptd Nanking 795, Shanghai 528. While Dept appreciates desirability American correspondents having access to communication facilities during turnover and after Comm occupation, believes use ConGen radio by correspondents unwise for [Page 937] following reasons: (1) if Comms insist on censorship news stories, use ConGen radio would place US Govt in position tolerating or tacitly accepting censorship which we have consistently opposed; (2) if news stories are “of nature which might compromise station in eyes Comms” and ConGen therefore refuses to send or insists on deletions, would in effect place ConGen in role of censor; (3) possibility of Comms stationing observer in ConGen radio room as suggested highly undesirable prospect.
Would appear probable that if Comms would agree permit US correspondents send stories via ConGen radio, they would also permit correspondents use Chinese public or private facilities which understood to be numerous in Peiping. ConGen could then inform Shanghai and Nanking of frequencies and times and news agencies could arrange monitor direct and transmit US via commercial facilities. Dept no objection your approaching Comms this regard in behalf correspondents pointing out desirability of continuing news flow from areas occupied by Comms reported by reputable American newspapermen.
Judging from reports of ConGen and Emb, would appear that interregnum if any will be brief. If, however, there is protracted delay subsequent breakdown Nationalist authority with resulting absence commercial radio facilities and prior establishment succeeding regime, Dept would perceive no objection ConGen sending strictly limited number news stories for correspondents pending end interregnum. ConGen should not, however, exercise any form censorship. On establishment local authority by Comms, ConGen should restrict use radio to regular official traffic only with possible exception occasional messages of urgent or important character for foreign consulates if no other facilities available.
- Not printed.↩