A Study Of Zhang Jiluan’s Expression On Anti-japanese War

During the period of Anti-Japanese War, China’s expression situation wascontrolled by the Kuomintang central authorities, local authoritie s, Japan, as well asConcession (colonial) authorities and a variety of forces. The overall situation wastightening, which directly restricted the spread of the war expression. At the same time,the low national economy and cultural level, public opinion of indifference, ignoranceof current affairs and other factors affected the communication effect of expression uponAnti-Japanese War. However, there were still many positive factors that favor the spreadof the speech upon Anti-Japanese War, such as the formal freedom inKuomintang-controlled areas (although it had only a spark of life left), relative liberalexpression atmosphere in Concession, the National Anti-Japanese War enthusiasm, andso on.Although Zhang Jiluan was not content with the situation of expression control, forthe consideration of Anti-Japanese War, he was in favor of the wartime news control.Nevertheless, the control should have its limits: In attitudes, the press censorship shouldbe well-intentioned, and the spirit of the principle should be “can be put down to putdown”; In scope, there should be restrictions to diplomatic and military, and othersignificant matters; From a methodological perspective, there should be provisions ofprocedure and content, and should not be boundless, nor do what one wishes withoutrestraint. In addition to advocating that the press should accept news control ofauthorities, he also stressed that the press colleagues should hold the spirits ofenthusiasm for the country, loyalty to advocate, courage to express, humility to express,and should actively get involved in the Anti-Japanese War propaganda.In less than ideal communication conditions, with high sense of mission for thenation, Zhang Jiluan had been in ecstasy calling sign for national salvatio n: First of all, on “me” level, Zhang Jiluan proposed a "self-defense policy" that should “center on theauthorities”, adhere to the policy of “ease if it can be eased, fight if it can be fought”during the period of local Anti-Japanese War and “fight to the end” during the period ofNational Anti-Japanese War. Secondly, on the “enemy” level, Zhang Jiluan spared noeffort to refute the enemy objections—“Toyo Monroe Doctrine”,“anti-Japanese” theory,“anti-communist" theory, as well as "culture” and “humane" theory. Thirdly, on the“friends” level, Zhang Jiluan took national interests as the criterion, and widely madefriends all over the world. Sometimes, he pursued the absolute realism diplomaticphilosophy, even in defiance of international justice. It was his sense that made him avery clear understanding of external assistance: Any external assistance was establishedon the basis of the interests. Whether the international community was willing toprovide assistance to China or not transferred according to their interests. Therefore, wecannot rely on external assistance, nor wait for external assistance; we cannot complainabout external assistance, instead, we should take practical action to obtain externalassistance.In order to spread these remarks, Zhang Jiluan not only made use of the massmedia, such as Ta Kung Pao, but also made full use of interpersonal communicationchannels as well as organizational communication channels. From his point of view,mass communication channels should be owned by the people. As a professionalnewspaper man, to use mass communication channels, we should uphold the belief of“non-party, non-private, non-marketing, and non-blind”, and harbor compassionate feelingfor all mankind. Hence his predications in "Ta Kung Pao" usually came from the nation’spoint of view, and prevailed over both prejudices, sometimes even overrode alldissenting views. Since words of great significance must be spoken, a nd uncertaintyshould often be considered, therefore, implicitly expression had become a feature ofZhang Jiluan’s remarks. In interpersonal communication channels, as a public figure, he was both free to express, and also had some reservations, but he had always been frank.In addition, he realized that organizational communication channels could be a way topeddle his claims. Thus, after the completion of the organization’s mission, he did notforget to penetrate his assertion of Anti-Japanese War into organizationalcommunication.Zhang Jiluan had a deep understanding of the objects connected to thesecommunication channels. He held that the whole social morality at that time in Chinawas unfavorable which meant that people did not know integrity or sense of shame. Asfor the objects of international dissemination, Zhang Jiluan insisted that it was theinterest that they talked about psychologically. In addition, when talking about Japanfrom its system to nationals, there was something melting inside him: He believed thatmilitary had the right of “independent action” according to the country’s legal system inJapan; Japanese nationals included greed, jealousy, tricky, and so on. On the basis ofthis understanding, Zhang Jiluan took “consciousness of shame” and "retaliation" asdomestic communication strategies, while attached importance to reveal Japanesenationals to friendly nations, as well as paid attention to the attitude of tolerance andcalm in external communication, apart from resorting to interest issues.At that time, all circles passed different reactions on Zhang Jiluan’s Anti-JapaneseWar expression. The separatists felt objectionable towards his theory of “centering onthe authorities”, while other party groups except Kuomintang all looked forward anddissatisfied with his performance. However, the majority of the country did support histheory of “centering on the authorities”. It was the clever dissemination of this theorythat to a large extent resolved the insurance bureau of the "Xi’an Incident". With thepeaceful settlement of the Xi’an Incident ", it indicated that the “centering on theauthorities” theory was quite consistent with expectations. However, people’s reactionsto the speech of “ease if it can be eased, fight if it can be fought” divided into two distinct groups: one attack, while the other respected. When comparing these twogroups, the respected group still gained the upper hand, while the attacked group justcharged campers. With the development of current situation, some radical later had toadmit Zhang Jiluan minds of calm. These above two remarks have caused strongopposition and fierce attacks at that time, only the remarks—“fight to the end” had notamused public opposition. Instead, it was a powerful blow to crack down on so-called“undertone”. Moreover, it won the enthusiastic approval of Jiang Baili, a famousmodern Chinese militarist strategist, and it was also consistent with the lastingAnti-Japanese stand of authorities and the Communist Party of China.After the death of Zhang Jiluan, many people gave posthumous honors to him,which are by and large objective.