The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-06-30
.RUSS|A'S FETTERED PRESS
A NEW SET OF LAWS HAVE
MADE SERFDoM COMPLETE.
Even Typographical Errors In Imper-
ial Names and Titles Are Now
Punishable.
New York Press.l

(New York Press)
Almost the last coherent utterance
made by Prince Bismarck was that
Russia might propose disarmament
with impunity, as no one was able to
find out what she was doing-prepar-
ing for war or peace-there being no
parliament to obstruct her rulers and
no press TO tell stories out of school"
I These words by one who knew Rus
STA better than any one else has pc
culiar significance because just now,
when the authorities in Washington,
London, Berlin, Paris, Rome and vi
emma have representative at the white
cars peace conference, his majesty
has issued a new set of laws and regu-
lations for the conduct of newspapers
printed in Russia, or admitted within
her borders, which practically does
away with all news and criticism of
governmental acts and plans.
To forestall disturbances of the pub
lie mind no newspaper is permitted, to
print information respecting the move
ments of troops, large or small, or of
vessels of war until such have been
printed in the St. Petersburg Official
Gazette It is likewise criminal act
10 report on recruiting, disbanding or
gathering of army bodies. and such
facts or surmises relating to them,
shall not be made public property I'M
til after the time when the govern
ment deems it proper TO do 50 in its
official mouthpiece. Every editor shall
be permitted to quote from the Ga
Zette.
1t is forbidden to print information
regarding the deliberations of the four
councils that administer the empire,
namely, the council of state Consist
ing of princes of the imperial house
and members appointed by the en-
peror), the ruling senate, the holy
synod and the committee of ministers,
as such publications are against the
law, and involve an insult to these
high corporations, which receive their
power by the grace of his majesty. 1t
is likewise unlawful to announce or to
speculate an ministerial crisis, the ap-
pointment or resignation of ministers,
governors, generals or other public
officials. If his majesty is pleased TO
engage or dismiss a servant. his name
will be published in the Official Ga
zette. and the item may then be re-
published in the newspapers. but in the
same words and without comment on
the part of the editor
No War Extras
Rumors of war respecting the empire
and governments to which Russia holds
amicable relations must not be men
toned in any circumstances. Newspa-
pers that disturb the public mind, or
excite the passions of neighbors. are
not to be tolerated. These regulations
apply also to the political police and Sc
cret service. The members of that
body must not be mentioned by name
in the public press. ana If anything
leaks out regarding their activity. it
must be kept a profound secret. 1t is
forbidden to print facts or fiction re-
garding these officials from foreign pa
pers, or to refer to them in any way.
The press shall not print anything
derogatory to public officials. includ-
ing officers of the army. 1t happened
in 1894 that an army officer was arrest
ed in st. Petersburg. Two editors, who /
cared nothing for the good of the coun-
try. and for the honor of his majesty's
troops, Immediately published this I.
fact, and the news spread all over the {
empire before the censor could stop it. /
Two hundred and fifty editors were |
on that account.
Political crimes and criminals must !
not be discussed, and no information. I
however guarded. shall be printed con- I
cerning such matters and individuals I
The public is not to be disturbed about I
martyrs of any sort, except those that /
1t being a well known fact that the /
reading of reports concerning political
and other criminal misdoings is liable
% make propaganda among the weak
it is forbidden to publish news
,r comment. respecting bombs, political
isSassinations. plots or similar occur
'ences. no matter where they happen
n how well they are authenticated.
such reports are unfit for publication
mi aTefr ineyp Il If
ng imperial institutions, their manage
nent is above criticism: moreover. the
being imperial wards. are not
o be treated like public characters.
Whatever acts the students commit.
he press shall not comment on them.
ither pro or contra. If such acts are
# public interest, the Official Gazette
will give the news, which. of course.
nay be reprinted and accepted as the
Whole truth.
No Emigration News.
Several newspapers printed in Rus
ia have of late been fined for publish
ng reports concerning the emigration
f peasants. The movements of the
population must be regarded as state
ecret, like the movement of troops
avs. government acts and police reg
lations respecting emigration are like
Use state secrets. and their publication
+ comment thereon is prohibited
1t is forbidden to print articles re-
orts or items concerning the conGi-
ion or the aspirations of certain bod
IS of laborers. There is no labor now
lent in Russia. and it must not be
allied into existence by newspaper
ak. Editors must refrain from treat
lg occasional strikes or lockouts as
latters of public concern: they mere
: interest the employer and the en- I
loyed, and have no connection with | {
he condition of labor generally.
In case of accidents or CO tastrOphes
he newspaper shall refrain from Law
lg the blame on public officials or
len connected with the government
.rvice. Those guilty of publishing i'll !
atured comment. whether it be war l
lnted or not, will be severely pun
he'd, and. besides, be liable to dam
ges by civil process. In such cases,
) in all others. the newspapers mis- {
on is to quiet the public mind, not to
Scite it or engage in criticisms.
1t happened in the cholera epidemic {