Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-17
STRICT CENSORSHIP
Whereabouts of Our Warships Not to
Be Wired.
MEASURES ADOPTED BY GEN. GREEDY
Agreement by Representatives Of
Gable Companies.
TO GUARD OUR INTERESTS

General Greedy, chief of the signal serv-
vice, who has charge of all strategic con-
troll of telegraph and cable lines, has adopt
ed energetic measures to prevent the adj
miraI of the Spanish squadron now in Car
ibbean waters from keeping posted on the
whereabouts and movements of United
States squadrons and of our prospective
naval ana military operations. Last night
he telegraphed to the New York manager
of the Haytian Gable Company forbiddng
the sending or receipt of any messages eX-
cept official messages to or from the United
States government disclosing the move
ments of our fleets and ships. The man.
ager answered this morning that the in
hibition would be strictly observed. If Ad-
miral Sampson is in Haytian waters as is
conjectured, then this cable restriction
makes it impossible for his movements to
become known except to the government,
or, if known, it is impossible to send out
the Information except by the government.
General Greedy also te!egraphed the Anglo
American Gable Company this morning,
calling their attention to the prohibition
against any messages inimical to the in
terests of the government, and, in particu-
lar. forbidding the receipt or sending of
messages disclosing the movements of our
ships prospective military movements.
This step was taken in view of the notice Of
the Anglo-American Telegraph Company
that pending further decision by the chief
signal officer will accept press messages
without restrictions" General Greely's
order appears to cover the further decision
referred to in the company's notice.
Cut on From Information.
The orders of these two companies were
sent the channels of communication
under their control seem to be. for the mo-
ment. the ones through which the Spanish
admiral and the Spanish authorities at
Madrid and Havana are most likely to Sc
cure information to naval move
ments. While it was not suspected that
spies were sending direct information, yet
the transmission of press dispatches of ma
val movements were looked upon as likely
to indicate to the Spanish with sufficient
certainty the general whereabouts and pur-
poses of fleets. The precautions taken
will, it is believed, so restrict this charac-
ter of cable information to the government
and the fleet commanders that the Spanish
authorities will from on be cut off
from all knowledge of our naval and mill
taIy plans
General Greely's Geographic orders sup
ly given to all the cable companies having
lines radiating from the United States.
Agreement of Six Companies.
The following restrictions regarding the
transmission of cable dispatches, whether
in code or plain text. have been agreed to
by each of the six cable companies for
much of their lines as are within the juris-
diction of the United States:
In order to safeguard the public inter-
ests until further Instructions, these compa-
MES refuse to receive or transmit the fol-
lowing:
First. Any and all messages either to or
from officials of Spain or any of her colo
MES, except sucl. as are addressed to or
signed by the President of the United States
or any member of his cabinet in Washing
ton city.
Second. All code or cipher ges to
any point in the West Indies, Brazil or
Venezuela, with the following exceptions:
"a. Messages addressed to or signed by