The Press: Shoptalk

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Wherever newspapermen gather, yarns are swapped. Some are true, some apocryphal. Some are good enough to become part of the shoptalk folklore of the press. From Peking last week came this story:

A U. S. newspaperman sent his Chinese assistant to cover a dinner eaten by Japanese officials and their Chinese puppets. The assistant reported as follows:

"A feast was given by Gen. Chi Hsieh-yuan last evening at Huai Jen Tang in honor of over 80 Chinese and Japanese newspapermen. Many high class Japanese officers were also invited. Purpose of the feast is: the Provisional Government is going to have an army of 'its own,' so he wants the newsmen to give them encouragement and publicity. The program of feast is like this:

"1) Host made address. 2) Japanese newsman reply. 3) Chinese newsman reply reply. 4) Chinese prostitute sing a song. 5) Japanese prostitute gave some performance. 6) Everyone drank three cups. 7) Gen. Chi led to sing 2 military songs (composed by himself) the 1st one is to build an army policy, the 2nd one Sino-Japanese cooperation. 8) Japanese prostitute gave two performances. 9) Chinese prostitute sang songs. 10) Japanese prostitute performed, 11) Guests offer performances. 12) Everyone drank 3 cups. 13) Discussion and exchange of opinions. The press reports that it is a heroic as well as romantic meeting, heroic because so many generals participated and the military songs so great, romantic because all the scores of prostitutes are beautiful and enjoyable."