The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-29
Baron Hayashi Makes Frank Statement to The Press of
 Whole World
NOT 4 WHISPER MUST GET
 ID HER POWERFUL ENEMY
Japs Rely on Striking Swiftly and Sc. cretly at the Beginning, Be- cause They Are Fighting
 for Existence.

London, February 2S.-In reference to the severity of the censorship of the Ja- panese government on press dispatches, Baron Hayashi said to the Associated Press today:
 'I have had numerous representations from English and other newspapers on this subject, but I believe that our posi- ton Is not only right but will be ad- mitted to be such by those who look Into the circumstances.
 We are fighting against numerical odds which are quite out of proportion to the odds against any combatant in recent wars. We are fighting for our existence and our hope of maintaining 1t Is to strike swiftly and secretly at the begin ning To get In the first blows means more to us than. I think. 1t ever meant to any belligerent. and to insure this it is vital for us to demand a system of sec- recy which has not been necessary in re- cent warfare.
 Not Even a Whisper. Even at the risk of alternating tempor- arily the friendship of the press of the world. we must prevent even whisper of our intentions reaching out powerful enemy
 Before war was declared I knew that our military authorities had decided that our censorship must be more rigid than ever before attempted. One line would have ruined our first attack on Port Ar thur-one line might ruin our projected land operations.
 When we fought China we gave the war correspondents free latitude and in many cases they took advantage of this to predict our movements That did not matter much when China was our enemy. but against a power like Russia. so im- mensely superior in eventual resources 1t might turn the scale. When you fight for life, everything else becomes of minor im- pdrtance.
 Will Not Lose Friends.
 T cannot believe that Japan will lose friends because she has been obliged to impose such a careful censorship. I do not think the political rigor of the cen- sorship will be continued very long, but momentarily the conditions of the cam paign are such that even the most in- significant movements might give clues to our military objectives. When our preparations are complete. I have no doubt the censorship will be relaxed.
 
 Our own press and people are under- going the same regime. There Is no dis- elimination, and think you will find as much if not more news of the war in the leading Japanese papers,"
 Blockade Is Not Complete.
 The baron does, not expect that his government will issue any proclamation of the blockade of Port Arthur until the Japanese are able to cut the communica- tions by which supplies now reach that place. He points out that New Chwang Is practically bockaded by the lee. When the ice breaks up and If the naval neces- sty still exists, the minister says that Japan probably will issue blockade proclamation.
 It does not lok as If there would be any immediate serious land action. but it appears probable that Admiral Togo may make another attempt to bottle up Port Arthur by sinking across the channel one of the old Chinese battleships captured in the war between Japan and China.