893.711/5–2845: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 28—1:25 p.m.]
864. I am informed that Henry J. Taylor, Scripps-Howard newspaper correspondent, yesterday cabled a story on an interview with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek to the effect that the Generalissimo degreed [agreed] to a news policy which included, among other items, a statement to the effect that the Chinese Government would pass all military news passed by General Wedemeyer and all political news passed by the American Embassy. I, of course, do not dispute the fact that the Generalissimo may have made a statement to that effect. It is true that General Wedemeyer already [has] exercised censorship of military matters. It is true also that I am opposed to censorship except on grounds of military necessity. I am an advocate of a free press and have lately suggested that censorship in China be relaxed and more news be permitted to flow to the world in general and the United States in particular. I do not believe that Taylor’s story infers that I accepted the role of censor for the Chinese Government. There is a possibility, however, that such an interpretation may be placed on Taylor’s story. I wish the State Department to be advised that the American Embassy did not at any time accept or agree to exercise censorship under any circumstances. It would be absurd for the American Ambassador or the American Embassy to attempt to exercise the function of censorship for the Government of another nation. I am sending this telegram only that the State Department may know my views and the attitude of the Embassy if the subject becomes an issue.