The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-09
RUSSIAN EDITORS TIED
NEW LAWS HAVE MADE sERFDoM
OF THE PRESS COMPLETE.
Seven Kinds Of Punishment Pre-
VIII Interest the Populace.
New York Press.

H-
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-preparing 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 ony one else has peculiar sig
nificance because just now. when the au-
thorities in Washington. London, Berlin,
Paris, Rome and Vienna have representa-
tives at the white Cars peace conference,
his Majesty has issued a new set of laws
and regulations for the conduct of news
papers printed in Russia, or admitted with
in her borders, which practically does away
with all news and criticism of governmental
acts and plans. To forestall disturbances
of the public mind no newspaper is per-
mitted to print information respecting the
movements 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 recruit
ing. disbandng 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 1t proper to do so In its official
mouthpiece Every editor shall be per-
mitted to quote from the Gazette.
1t is forbidden to print information re-
garding the deliberations of the four coun-
ellis that administer the empire-namely,
the council of state consisting of princes
of the imperial house and members ap
pointed by the Emperor). the ruling senate,
the holy synod and the committee Of minis
ters, 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 un-
lawful to announce or to speculate on min
isterial crises, the appointment or resigna-
ton Of ministers. governors. generals or
other public officials. If his Majesty is
name will be published in the ofhciai Ca
Zette, and the item may then be repub-
lished in the newspapers. but In. the same
the editor.
Rumors of war respecting the empire and
governments to which Russia holds ami
cable relations must not be mentioned in
any circumstances. Newspapers that dis
turb the public mind, or excite the passions
or neighbors, are not to be tolerated. These
lice and secret service. The members of
that body must not be mentioned by name
In the public press, and If anything leaks
out regarding their activity Ii must be kept
a profound secret 1t is forbidden to print
facts or fiction regarding these officials
from foreign papers, or to refer to them In
any way.
EDITORS DISCIPLINED.
The press shall not print anything derog-
atory to public officials. including officers of
the army. 1t happened In 1894 that an army
officer was arrested in st. Petersburg. Two
olit Cor f,1 80
the country and for the honor of his Maj
esty'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 were disciplined
on that account. Political crimes and crim-
mails must not be discussed and no informa-
ton, 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 read
ing of reports concerning political and 9TH
er criminal misdoings Is liable to make prop
uganda among the weak-minded, ii is for
hidden to publish news or comment, re-
specting. bombs. political assassinations,
plots Of similar occurrences, no matter
where they happen, or how well they are
authenticated. Such reports are unfit for
publication.
The universities and high schools being
imperial institutions. their management is
above criticism; moreover, the students, be-
like public characters. Whatever acts the
students commit, the press shall not COM
ment on them, either pro OF contra. If such
zette will give the news which, Of course,
truth.
Several newspapers printed in Russia
have Of late been fined for publishing re-
ports concerning the emigration of peas
ants. The movements of the population
the movement of troops. Laws, govern
ment acts and police regulations respect
ing emigration are likewise state secrets,
and their publication, or comment thereon,
Is prohibited.
1t is forbidden to print articles. reports
or items concerning the condition or the
There Is no labor movement in Russia, and
1t must not be called into existence by
newspaper talk. Editors must refrain from
treating occasional strikes lockouts as
matters of public concern; they merely in
terest the employer and the employed, and
have no connection with the condition of
In case Of accidents or catastrophes, the
newspaper shall refrain from laying the
% tho on pvee offials rv or men
of publishing ill-natured comment, whether
1t be warranted or not, will be severely
punished. and, besides, be liable to dam
ages by civil process. In such cases. as IN
all others, the newspapers mission is to
quiet the public mind, not to excite it or
engage IN CTltlClSmS.
It happened in the cholera epidemic OF
1892 that some newspapers reported on the
unsanitary condition Of certain houses In
st. Petersburg. Such criticism is forbidden
throughout the empire, for not only does
1t disturb the public mind, damage property
and business. keep visitors away, but 1t
also involves insult to and criticism of
the officials to whom the sanitary service
Is intrusted.
Intoerant and superfuous comment on
candidates for local elections is likewise
forbidden. IL newspapers were permitted TO
give an opinion on the character and the
standing of candidates that might prejudice
the people against them in case of election
1t would be interference Of the worst sort,
tees, especially as the passions OF the
franchise holders would be unnecessarily
aroused and the controversy deepened.
TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.
The name Of the Car and members of the
except In articles and items reprinted from
the Imperial Gazette. Under ordinary cir
cumstances there is and there can be no
exception from this rule. which also in a
measure applies to the ancestors of their
Majesties. Editors must particularly re-
frain from printing or alluding to express
sions ascribe to either of their Majesties
II an editor wants to print an item con-
corning these august personages that has
not previously appeared in the Official Ga
zette he shall submit Ii to the minister of
the imperial house. who Will grant permits
sion or withhold IL. as he sees fit. Typo
graphical errors in the imperial name or in
names OF members Of the imperial family
will make the editor, publisher, foreman of