"No More False Statements"

Since the occupation, U.S. correspondents had watched with anger and amazement the Japs' Domei News Agency getting away with murder. Domei lectured the invading forces on how they must behave (TIME, Sept. 17), published eight bright suggestions on how Japanese women might avoid rape by brutal U.S. troops, explained why Japanese war criminals should not be punished too severely. Most galling to U.S. reporters, Domei dispatches at first were censor-free, later given only a once-over-lightly by U.S. blue pencils.

Last week into Domei's Tokyo offices stomped U.S. officers with an order from the Supreme Commander to close up shop (see INTERNATIONAL). Then Colonel Donald Hoover, censorship officer of U.S. counter intelligence, summoned Jap news chiefs and read them the riot act:

"General MacArthur had decreed there should be absolute minimum of restrictions upon freedom of speech in Japan. . . . [But] you have demonstrated that the latitude provided cannot be entrusted to you. . .

"The tone of the colored news you have been presenting to the public gives the impression that the Supreme Commander has been negotiating with the Japanese Government. . . . The Supreme Commander will dictate orders to the Japanese Government. He will not negotiate with it. Negotiations take place among equals. . . .

"You are upsetting the public tranquillity in that you do not give the truth to your people. . . . No more false statements, no more misleading statements are to be permitted; no destructive criticism of the Allied Powers."

After 18 hours' suspension, Domei reopened. The Army promised that this time the censorship would be tough.

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