The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-01
RUSSIA'S FETTERED PRESS
New Set of Rules Has Made It's
Serfdom Almost Complete.
EDITORS MAY BE PUNISHED
Comment on Any Subject Is Prohibited
by the Censor-Advertiseme Must
Be Omitted at the Demand OF
Those in Authority.


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,
These words by one who knew Russia
better than anyone else have a peculiar
significance because just now, when
the authorities in Washington, Lon
don, Berlin, Paris, Rome and Wen
ma have representatives at the
white cars peace conference, his
majesty has issued a new set of
laws and regulations for the con-
duct 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 1t is likewise a criminal act
to report on recruiting, disbanding or
gathering of army bodies, and such
facts or surmises relating to them shall
not be made public property until after
the time when the government deems
it proper to do so in its official mouth
piece. Every editor shall be permitted
to quote from the Gazette.
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 on ministerial crises, the APP
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.
Rumors of war respecting the en-
pire and governments to which Russia
holds amiCable relations must not be
mentioned in any circumstances. News
papers that disturb the public mind, or
excite the passions of neighhCrs are not
to be tolerated. These regulations APP
| ply also to the political, police and sec
ret service. The members of that body
| must not be mentioned by name in the
| public press, and If anything leaks out
regarding their activity, it must be
kept a profound secret. 1t is forbid
| den to print facts or fiction regarding
these officials from foreign papers, or
| to refer to them in any way.
The press shall not print anything
| derogatory to public officials, including
| officers of the army. 1t happened in
| 1884 that an army officer was arrested
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 fact
and the news spread all over the en-
| pire before the censor could stop it.
Two hundred and fifty editors We're
disciplined on that account.
Political crimes and criminals must
| not be discussed and no information,
however guarded, shall be printed con-
| corning such matters and individuals.
| The public Is not to be disturbed about
| martyrs of any sort, except those that
| are in the holy calendar 1t being a
well-known fact that the reading of
| reports concerning political and other
criminal misdoings is liable to make
|
! it is forbidden to publish news or COM
ment respecting bombs, political as
! sassinations, plots or similar occur
| rences, no matter where they happen
| or how well they are authenticated.
| Such reports are unfit for publication.
The universities and high schools be-
| ing imperial institutions, their man
agement is above criticism; moreover
the students, being imperial wards, are
not to be treated like public charac-
| tiers. Whatever acts the students COM
NIT the press shall not comment on
| them, either pro or contra. If such
acts are of public interest the Official
Gazette will give the news, which, of
course, may be reprinted and accepted
as the whole truth.
| Several newspapers printed in Russia
have of late been fined for publishing
reports concerning the emigration Of
| peasants. The movements % the Pep
| ulation must be regarded as n state Sc
| cret, like the movement of troops.
Laws, government acts and police reg
| ulations respecting emigration are
| likewise state secrets. and their I-ihli-
| cation or comment thereon is prChihit-
ed. 1t is forbidden to print articles,
| reports or items conc arning the conc -
ton or the aspirations of certain bod
| les of labOrers. There is no labor move
| ment in Russia, and it must not he
called into existence by newspaper
talk. Editors must refrain from trea !
| ing occasional strikes 0r lOcK)uts IS
matters of public concern; they naleiy
interest the employer and the employ
| ed, and have no connection with the
| condition of labor gen2ra.T.
In case of accidents or CaCIstr2nheF,
the newspaper shall refrain from laying
the blame on Pablo officials n mrr
connected with he government service.
Those guilty Of publishing ll-naturei
! comment, whether It he warranted or
not, will be sevarA,y punished lind,
| besides, be liable to damages ~ civil
| process. In such cases, as in all 9th
| ers, the newspa JerS' mission Is to quiet
the public mind, not 10 excite Il or en-
| gage in CRITICS rs.
1t happened n he oh olera eriiamic
of 1892 that some newspapers report
ed on the unsanl"a.W condition If rCr-
tain houses in st. Petersburg. Such
criticism is forbidden throughout the
| empire, for not only does it disturb
the public mind, damage property and
| hl1Sipacc lyaan visitors I,IIt al