Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-11-29
MUZzLEO PRESS
CAUSES GRIEF
TO ENGL|SHMEN
Bonar Law Insists People Of
Great Britain Are Entitled to
More War News Than They
Are Getting,

London. Nov f6.--"Thc muxrled
press was discussed by Bonar Law.
leader OF the conservative party In
his address before the house OF COM
mons az the recent opening OF the
special war session and Premier AS
uuiti was asked for q statement on
the governments position In regard
TO the suppression Of war news.
There Is general feeling. which
share said Mr.. Law. that the
press IL more muzzled than Is neces-
sary for military reasons and second
~ IL that be 50. II IL Instantaneous
from the point of view of every other
Interest In this country. II may be
that To a large extent the government
Is powerlcss. Our army In France Is
only part OF a great force. and 1t
would be quite right that we should
not do anything that by any possible
~ could iniurc the operations OF that
force which was against the wishes
OF the government responsible for
the chief part OF the force. quite adj
NIT that. but I would like to Impress
upon the government that where
there are not military reasons there
can be no other reasons for keeping
back information as to what our sol
oilers are doing. II IL bad In every
way II Is bad for recruiting one Of
the honorable members opposite
spoke of the action of the London
scottish. | think we are all proud Of
thcnt but they are not the only regi-
ment The eecct of their action was
Immediately 10 stimulate recruiting
Tor the London Scottish. There are
other regiments to my knowledge
representing other districts In the
country which have fought as bravely
ana suffered LOSSES braxely, aud the
people of those districts know Moth
ing.
II am sure that nothing could be
a greater mistake ain not suggest
ing that the government Is acting for
this renson---than 10 suppose there
would be any advantage, apart from
military considerations. in letting the
country know there have been heavy
losses when such losses have taken
place On the contrary II IL good that
we should tell them, One Of the things
which as q nation we have most rea-
son. 50 far az the civilian population
Is concerned, 10 be proud of Ia that
what most stimulated recruiting In
this country was not eloquent |
anything of that kind
II was the knowledge OF the risks /
which our soldiers were running |
which made our recruits join the I
army,
Personally ! should have preferr- /
"a, if II were possible. TO have ac-
credited reports at the seat Of war.
That may be impossible, but | hope
HE government VIII try to give all I
the Information that can be given |
ia ri mil 81 N Lar
and they VIII tell the house frankly !,
The principle upon which they are
icting In regard to the whole matter.
am quite sure that nothing could
De worse than to conceal misfortunes.
4 We have any. from the people of
his country. do not mean that II
nay not be right TO delay publica-
Ion of Incidents, perhaps for a con-
siderable time for atiategicul iea-
IONS, but | am sure II would be wrong
or US TO do what may have been
light IN the case Of Japan. to cons
eal disasters tintll the war il over.
The i1alr object With US would be To
Prevent d panic. and In my belief one
hing which would cause panic would
q II the people Of this country got
he ideo that they do not know the
Whole truth"
The press throughout England has
tiributed slackness in recruiting very
iigely TO the strict censorship. Con-
equcntly Mr.. Law was yoicing an
pinion whirh has been current In
ne United Kingdom for many weeks.
What Is the principle which ought Il
} govern usY' Mr. Asquith remarked Q
! his reply You should be ready
, divulge everything, whether favor
BILE or adverse, subject only to milf q
Try considerations. ] can say with D
10 utmost confidence that as far as Q
q are concerned. and as far as we
ave responsibility IN the matter. that 4
the principle on which we have 8
,tod throughout. Whatever has been Q
or rather wlthhcld---for ! Q
lite agree that there Is difference =
stween permanent concealment and M
mpOrary postponement--~w whatever
is been withheld has been withheld :
nply because, In the opinion of our
ilitary and naval advisers and our 4
Ives, II was lnexpedient that for the 4
oment II should be divulgcd lest II 3
We the enemy an advantage he
Dnid not otherwise have.
I'VE should all like 10 know more 4
an We dol should inyself-~of the =
lily progress OF the war. the achieve
cnts OF particular ships, OF particu-
+ regiments, OF particular individ- \
lis. Whatever Is done must be done =
c0ntoint action. and after due con b
Iiution between the allied forces.
. must have regard To their inter- 4
IL and opinions just as much as our
vn. -
while | quite agree that from the 4