The sun., 1919-10-10
JAPAN THREATENS
j. S.-CHINA AMITY
Newspaper Propaganda Must
Be Checked, Western Editor
Tells Congress.
URGES Low RADIO RATE
Says America Should Transmit
Truthful Press Reports
to the Orient.
URGES Low RADIO RATE

WASHINGTON, Oct 9.-The age long
friendship between the people of China
and the United States--the confidence
reposed by the Chinese in the integrity
and honor of Americas In jeopardy
from the spread OF Japanese propaganda
throughout the former domain of the
Son of Heaven, ". s. McClatchy, pub
Usher of the Sacramento Bee, fresh from
an extended tour of the Orient. told the
Senate Naval Committee to-day.
Mr.. McClatchy urged the necessity OF
authorizing at once the radio service
of the United States navy to extend a
low press rate to the Orient and to
facilitate in all ways transmission of
authentic and honest news of events and
of sentiments In the United States to
the press of China and contiguous re-
gions in order to Offset Japanese made
public opinion, which was highly pref
judicial to the continued confidence of
the Chinese.
News Situation DepIorabIe.
"The news situation in China to-day
is deplorable," said Mr.. McClatchy.
The supply of news to the Chinese
press Is sifted through the Kokusai
agency, a Japanese Government con-
trolled organization, which has replaced
Reuters News Agency in Japan and
whose service is spreading into China
through numerous Japanese controlled
newspapers there.
THE news having passed through the
Japanese censorship is of course not the
fair reflection either of facts or OF
sentiment In the United States. On the
other hand, the news coming out of
China bound for the United States is
subject to the same restrictions The
result is there Is at present outside OF
very restricted China bound service
maintained by the Associated Press no
American telegraphic news going into
China and none coming out at ALL
Mr.. McClatchy urged that the estab-
lishment through pcrmissive legislation
OF real news service privately owned
and conducted but beneiting by the low
word rate which the superior facilities
OF the navy radio would provide was the
sure means of restoring Chinese conf
dence in America IL 1t had not already
been Influenced against us and of pro-
tecting that confidence against destruc-
ton by skilfully perverted Japanese
propaganda.
Many Would Use Service.
There are more than 800 newspapers
in China which would find use for such
service" the witness continued. He
also said the indirect influence Of the
estimate of such service would be high
even in japan, where the press is so
absolutely subservient to the Govern
ment.
Senator'S questioned Mr. McClatchy
to how a free service could have in
fiuence in nation where the press was
controlled.
Such a service would be twelve hours
faster than the combination of Reuters
and kokusai. and enterprises would de-
mand at least parts Of it. That which
did not deal with sentiments and poll
cies-news of commerce and of a gen.
eral character-would be demanded by
the enterprising Japanese publishers
and slowly the effect would be felt
throughout Japan and the Japanese
controlled areas"
The committee gave evidence of
synipe thetic interest in Mr. McClatchy's
proposal and after he was excused took
up the question of the proposed wireless
press service with Capt. Bryant, U. S.
N, one of the wireless experts of the
Navy Department in executive session.
No McClatchy remained to sustain
Capt. Bryant's presentation with his
own observations.