The chronicle=news., 1914-11-30
BRITISH PRESS
MuzzLE IS
SCORED

| London, NOV. jV.- me MuZZlcu
Press" was discussed by Bonar Law,
leader of the conservative party, in
his address before the house of COM
mons, at the recent opening OF the
special war session and Premier AS
Quith was asked for a statement on
the governments position in regard
to the suppression of war news,
There iSJ,a general feeling which
\ 1. shafb." Aaid Mr.. Law, that the
press is more muzzied than is neces-
sary for military reasons, and sec
lundly, if that be 50. 1t is disadvan-
tageous from the point of view Of
every other interest in this country.
1t may be that to Il large extent the
government is powerless. Our army
| in France is only part of great
force, and it would be quite right
that we should not do anything that
| hy any possibility could injure the
operations of that force which was
against the wishes of the govern
ment responsible for the chief part
of the force. l quite admit that, but
| | would like to impress upon the
government that where there are not
military reasons there can be no
other reasons for keeping back in
formation as to what our soldiers are
doing 1t is bad in every way. 1t
is bad for recruiting. One of the
honorable members opposite spoke Of
the action of the London Scottish.
think we are all proud of them. hut
they are not the only regiment. The
effect of their action was Immediate
tly to stimulate recruiting for the
london Scottish. There are other
regiments to my knowledge repre-
senting other districts in the coun-
try which have fought as bravely and
suffered losses bravely. and the peo-
pie of those districts know nothing.
II am sure that nothing could be
Il greater mistake. I am not sug-
costing that the government is act
ing for this reason than to sup
pose there would be any advantage,
apart from military considerations.
in letting the country know there
nave been heavy losses when such
losses have taken place. On the con-
them One OF the things which as n
nation we. have most reason, so far as
tine civilian population Is concerned.
to be proud OF is that what most
stimulated recruiting in this country
was not eloquent speeches - or any
lthinE of that Kind = II was the
knowledge of the risks which our
soldiers were running which made
our recruits join the army.
Personally should have Prefer
red. If 1t We're possible. to have ac-
credited reporters at tho seat of war
That may be impossible. but l do
hopc the government will try to give
all the Information that can be given
Iapart from military considerations
and they will tell the house frankl,
the principle Upon which they are
ter. am quite sure that nothing
could be worse than toconceal mis-
fortunes, if we have any, from the
people of this country. I do no,
mean that Il, may not be right to de-
lay publication OF incidents. perhaps
for a considerable time for strategi-
cal reasons. but I am sure 1t would
he wrong for us to do what may have
been right in the case of Japan. to
conceal disasters until the war Is
over. The main object with us would
he TO prevent n panic. and in my he
lief one thing which would cause
manic would be n the people OF thi,
country got The idea that they do moi
know the whole, truth
The press throughout England has
attributed slackness in recruiting
very largely to thcsStrict censorship.
Consequently Mr.. Eaw was voicinH
an opinion which Vas been current
lin the United Kingdom for many
weeks
What is the principle which
ought to govern u.s." Mr.. Asquitll
remarked in his reply. You should
ibc ready to divulge everything.
whether favorable or adverse. sub
icct only to military considerations.
! can say with the utmost confidence
!, that as far as we are concerned, and
as far as We have responsibility in
the matter, that is the principle on
which we have acted throughout.
| Whatever has been concealed. or
rather withheld - for I quite agree
there is IA difference between permn-
incnt concealment and temporary
ipost poncmcnt - whatever has been
with held has been withheld simply
lhcrausc. in the opinion OF our mill
ltary and naval advisers and our
SELVES. it was inexpedfent that for
| lInc moment il should be diYulgCl