The Washington times., 1914-05-03

men, instead of waiting to see the
Secretary to get important news
dispatches. could get them iInmedi-
ateIy after they are translated.
y censor was appointed by the
Secretary. one of his naval aides
acting in this capacity. All dis
patches are Immediately given to
the censor as translated, and If they
divulge no secrets of military STRAIT
egy or tactics, are mimeographed.
Mimeograph copies are taken to the
press room and thrown upon table.
and each man has an equal chance,
and no preference is given in time.
1t is mutually agreed that each
man stand aside until the bulletins
are on the table. Under this system
no man gains preference. and the bull
letinS are gwen out as soon as the
original dispatch goes to the Secre-
tary's desk.
A coI.- is put upon the bulletin
board for the beneht of late coEaerS.
This system applies only to dis
patches, however. or an announce
lnent from the Secretary The other
news must be sought and dug out,
in interviewing the Secretary or his
aides. 1t is through the bulletins,
however, that most of the news
from Vera Cruz was given 10 the
people.
The twice-daily interviews with
Secretaries Bryan. Garrison and
Daniels, when the newspaper men
crowd about their desks. are Fraught
with many incidents, many hum"r-
Gus and some tragic. Each of these
men receives the newspaper report
ers with uniform courtesy and con-
sideration for the many questions
that are fired as to depaTtmental ac-
tivities Developments in tine war
situation and the possible next step.
Secretary Bran answers all in
frre ftt1 nd YrnRiEl1N.
always turns aside q question that
would, if answered, give a prema-
lure announcement OF policy or l'ro-
ceeding. On rare occasions he hats
a uuestioner sharply, to the chaErin
Of the Questioner and the amusement
of his fellows. A correspondent
asked him a few days ago 4 the
note of Senior AIgara, recalled MeNi-
car charge. asking for his pass
ports was in the form of an aid
memoir" Talk English, Talk Eng
lsh'" the Secretary retorted 10 the
young man. who had sprung this
diplomatic term.
Bryan Enjoys Interviews.
Secretary Bryan is usually mighty
ratient under questioning, however,
and is willing, wherever possible. to
help the newspaper men. He said
n few days ago. There is nothing
] like better than giving out news
to yCu gentlemen. anu nothing 7 do
so little Of This was just after
lac had arranged, at the request of
tho newspaper men, to have an
EOunccuIents as to the arbitration
Proceedings come through the State
Depa rtnent so that all would have
equal opportunity to get them. The
nediators previously had decided to
make announcements to press as
soc alton man. whom they krew
through lOrg IcNIaintan Some of
the uth-rs felt such 0n arrangement
IGight give one man an advantage.
TIE secretary listened patiently
while the men disputed among them
selves on this score and Ten helped
out
Secretary Garrison IS both precise
and concise in his ansWefs to all
Questions. II" will many times take
the newspaper men into his con-,
ndence. but he refuses to be in
N,igl-d into saying something that
h.. does not wish to 20 out. He
has standing rul" not to prOphesy.
speculate. or imagine. and VIII Onl%
tell of things that have happened.
He threatened to disDar questions
cne morning when he read an IA
tcrview with himself in a morning
paper. in which he Was made 20 say
things that ne had never uttered. He
s9id the interview made him appear
foolish. and he was but little better
pleased when told that another Ca.i-
net member had madc the state
rnrnt. and I; WAS merely "A mixing
If names. Secretary Garrison an
sy.ers all question exactly and never
clHbOrateS.
The interviews with Secretary