The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1906-05-11
THE PRESS IN WAR TIME.
English Journalists Favoring "a BiU {
Curtail Its Activities.

: "a blli lt
Curtail Its Activities.
A good case can be made out foI
such a measure of restriction as tho
Morning Post advocates measure
that is 10 say, making IL penal in
time Of war, and when war is immi
nent. TO publish any but official news
of naval and military movements. II
is part of newspapers business &c
supply news TO public that is. be.
yond all things, greedy of news; and in
the excitement OF national crisis
when war is possibility of the next
few hours. the appetite for informa.
ton and the desire 10 furnish il act
and react upon one another until both
are liable TO become recklcssly lnrtnsi.
fed.
Lord Spencer feclinGly admitted the
manifest and manifold dangers of such
unrestricted Publication. but he seemed
10 think they could he overcome by an
appeal Ito the good feeling Of those
concerned" II is not difficult 10 bring
that SuppoSition 10 the test OF expert.
ence. The Admiralty from time to
time sends around circulars To the
newspapers requesting them not &c
publish any information that they may
happen 10 possess in regard 10 the
plans OF this or that newly launched
battlcship. All decent papers sCrGNu.
lousy observe that request, but il is a
lamcntable fact that i'm many cases 4
is ignored and that the details which
the Admiralty in the national interests
desires to have suppressed do some
how find their way into print. Now,
If journals can he found that will pub.
lish the plans Of battleShip-a matter
in which not one hundrcdth of one uct
cent. Of their readers feels the slight.
est intcrest-are they likely TO refrain
from making public an item OF news
which may treble or quntup!p their
circulation at q time when an excited
nation is ClamOrinG for all the news il
can get? ! am bound 10 confess that
| think il most improbable that they
would exercise any such Sclfdcnial.
TO myself as n journalist, and |
am convinced 10 most of the members
Of the profession, it is a mouStrouS ana
appalling thought that Il mOmcur>
hccdleSsncsS i'm the publication OF Wal
news may be the means OF Scndiu"
brave men TO their death. Of diSarraug-
ing the plans Of an entire campaign
and of jcopardZiug the security Of the
nation. From so terrible n responsible
ity | feel sure that all is that is best IN
the profession is but tee anxious 10 Lc
relieved.
The press has no desire TO remain IN
n position where il appears 10 be fight
ing against the national interests II
asks TO be protected against a liberty
which il cauLot iu the nature of things
help abusing We are too apt in tis
country 10 look upon war rs q sort Of
"lldiatOrial combat q >cttO between
picked champions on either side, in
which the people play the part of
passive spectators. But the extracts
| have quoted from responsible papers
show that some journalists. at any
rate. are beginning 10 realize that
when a country is at war every mau
and woman that belongs to the counfr"
is It war also. and that the first pre-
requisite OF fighting efficiency is that
an the strength and resources OF The
nation should be welded into single
thunderbolt.
The press will lose nothing. and will
gain much. 10y taking the lead in So
curing the passage Of such bill as is
here outlined 1t is far too powerful
TO fear the thin edge Of the wedge"
argument. or 10 profess any alarm lest
censorship over its freedom 10 cTiti-
else the conduct OF a campaign and 10
expose. II need be, It's shortcomings
should be hereafter evolved. Such
censorship is impossible in this coun-
try, and would not be desirable even IL
IL were possible. The nation as a
whole places the safety OF the state
above every other consideration.
am not unhopeful that even party
politicians may for this once be induced
10 take the same view. II the Govern
mont thinks the aim worth attaining
10 has only to throw itself frankly upon
the press, Parliament and the country
10 achieve it.-Fortnightly Review.