The times., 1899-08-12
NEW CENSORSHIP RULES.
Regulations for the Use of the Nil
isary telegraph Lines

An important general order regulating
the transmission of telegraph information
over military telegraph lines was issued
yesterday afternoon. The order provides
for a censorship of all dispatches that
may ba considered suspicious. II says:
The following rules, subject TO modification
by orders of the commanding general OF the
army in the field will be strictly followed IN
the transmission of dispatches over military
telegraph lines, or lines undsr military control,
during active military operations, and are pub
lished to the Army for The information and
guidance OF all concerned:
Dispatches viii be sent in the following order
OF priority. due regard being had to the i'm
poTtance OF messages in the same class; Those
reiating TO The movement administration Sf
the army in the field and of the Navy Other
messages relating 10 the Army. to the Navy, and
TO governmental departments or bureaus OF the
United States Messages OF State, Territorial, or
other civil efhcials relating TO public business
Messages between diplomatic agents OF neutral
Governments. Press messages. Miscellaneous
business these relating 70 death serious III
ness having priority
Dispatches containing matter deemed to be in
furious TO the interests Of the Army must be
submitted to the commanding general OF the
army in the field fer his orders relative TO their
transmission. rAtl 4l-reTt.
Officers ard soldiers strictly prohibited from
communicating except 20 commanding officers
under special authorization from proper military
authority information BY telegraph relative TO
numbers, movements operations OF troops,
details regarding foTtifeatiOns, armament.
perlments made in connection with military mat
tsrs- Neither shall they be permitted 20 file
dispatches containing opinions on military opera
tions OF other military matters re,ating 10 any
part of the Army command with which they
serving
Personal and press messages may, under con-
dtiens interfering with military business,
be transmitted free feld military telegraph
lines that are closed TO the general public.
The use OF any cipher is forbidden, except in
communication TO and from commanding officers
and their superiurs. in cases OF civic officers
specially authorized. Personal and press Gods.
however. may be utilized for the economical
transmission of dispatches upon fling a copy
OF the code with the central Office and under
such other regulations may be formulated by
the general commanding army in the field.
The chief signal officer Of army operating
in the field of a district under military con-
troll, in carrying cut his general Instructions VIII
formulate necessary regulations for the manage
Hent and operation Of military telegraph lines
under his control. General rules should be re-
duced to writing, be Clearly defined, and impair
tally enforced.
Messages relating 10 military operations win be
received and transmitted ever the flying teIe-
graph lines when fled bv a correspondent in the
field wko is furnished with a written permission
to serve in such capacity
Press messages when filed on military flying
telegraph lines viii be transmitted in the order
OF fling. but no correspondent viii be allowed
to monopolize the line When special ciyeHrsi-
stances demand special regulations VIII be f0rmH-
lated subject 10 the approval Of the general
harding the army in the field TO prevent monop-
olizaton.
Signal officers should afford press correspondents
in The field the fullest telegraph facilities eonsis
tent with the public interests.
UnvaryiEg courtesy and strict impartiality in
diSpenSable qualities for successful dealings with
non military officials individuals, are strictly
enjoiRed on officers and men Of the Signal Corps