Grand Forks daily herald. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1914-1916, 1914-12-02

London, Dec. ..-'Thc Muzzled
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 spe-
cial War session and Premier Asuuith
was asked for a statement on the gov
ernment's position in regard to the
suppression of war news.
There is a general feeling, which I
share" said Mr.. Law, that the press
is more muzzled than is necessary for
military reasons, and secondly, if that
be SO, it is disadvantageous from the
point Of view OF every other interest
In this country. 1t may be that to a
large extent the government is power
less, Our army in France ik only part
Of a great force. and 1T would be quite
right that we. should not do anything
that by any possibility GOULD in,ure
the operations of that force which
was against the wishes of h govern
ment responsible for the chief part OF
the force. l quite admit that, but l
would like to impress upon the gov-
eminent that where there are not mill
itary eason there can he no other
easons for keeping back information
as to what Jul soldiers are doing. 1t
is bad in every way. 1t is bad for re-
cruiting. One Of the honorable men,
bers opposite spoke Of the action OF
the London Scottish. I think we are
all proud Of them, but they are not
the only regiment. The effect of their
action was Immediately to stimulate
recruiting for the London Scottish.
There are other regiments to my
knowledge representing other districts
in the country which have fought ais
bravely and suffered losses bravely.
and the people of those districts know
nothing.
II am sure that nothing could be a
greater mistake-I am not suggesting
that the government is acting for this
ieason-than' to 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 it is good that we
should tell them. One of the things
| which as q nation we have most rea-
SON., 40 tar as the civilian population
is concerned, to be proud Of is that
what most stimulated recruiting in
this country, was not eloquent speech
the knowledge of the risks which our
soldiers were running which made
our recruits join the army.
Personally I should have prefer
red, If it were possible, to have &C
credited reports at the seat of war.
That may be impossible, but 1 do
hope the government will try to give
all the information that a be given
apart from military considerations,
and they will tell the house frankly
the principle upon which they are act
ing in regard to the whole matter. /
am quite sure that nothing could be
worse than to conceal misfortunes, it
we have any, from the people of this
country. I do not mean that it may
not be right to delay publication OF
incidents, perhaps for q considerable
time for strategical reasons but / am
sure 1t would be wrong for us to do
Of Japan. to conceal disasters until
the war is over. The main object
with us would be to prevent a panic.
and In my belief one thing which
would cause panic would be if the
people Of this country got the idea
that they do not know the whole
truth
The press throughout England has
attributed islackness in. recruiting
very largely to the strict censorship.
Consequently MIR. Law "a voicing an
opinion which has been current in the
United Kingdom for many weeks.
What 10 the princin'e which ought
to govern us?" Mr.. AsQuith' remark
ed In his reply. you snou.u .e
ready to divulge everything. whether
favorable or adverse, subject only to
military considerations. I can say
with the utmost confidence that AZ far
as we, are concerned, and as far as
we have responsibility in the matter,
that IL the principle on which we have
acted throughout. Whatever has
been concealed. or rather withheld
for / quite agree there Is q difference
between permanent c~oncealment and
temporary postponment- whatever
has been withheld hrs heen withheld
simply because, in the opinion Of our
military and naval advisers and our
selves. 1t wac t~nexpedient that for the
moment it should he divulged lest it
give the enemy an advantage he would
not otherwise have.
we should all like to know more
than we. dol should myself-of the
daily progress Of the war. the
achievements Of particular ships, Of
particular REGIMENTS Of particular in
divtduals. Whatever is done must be
done by con1oint action, and after due
consultation between the allied forces.
We must have regard to their interests
! and opinions Just "a much az our
own. hi .N,
"whilpsI quite asres that from the
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