Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-12-01

London, Nov. 28.--"The 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
special war session, and Premier AS
quith was asked for a statement OF
the governments position in regard
to the suppression of war news.
There is a general feeling, which
l share" said Mr.. Law, that tho
press is nor muzx1ed than isSneces,
sary for military reasons, and second
ly, if that be SO, it is Instantaneous
from the point of view Of every other
interest in this country. 1t may be
that to a large extent the govern
ment is ~powerless. Our army in
France is only part of a great force,
and it would be quite right that we
should not do anything that by any
possibility could injure the operations
Of that force which was against the
wishes Of the government responsible
for the chief part of the force. !
quite admit that, but l would like to
impress upon the government that
"lIClC tlIClC dlS uOl .llIlllIulS lCCSoiAo
there can be no other reasons for
keeping back information as to what
our soldiers are doing. 1t is bad in
every way. 1t is bad for recruiting.
One of the honorable members oppo-
site, spoke of the action of the Lon
don Scottish. | think we are al:
proud of them, but they are not the
only regiment. The effect Of their ac-
ton was Immediately to stimulate
recruiting for the London Scottish.
There are other regiments to my
knowledge representing other dis
tricts in the country which have
fought as bravely and suffered losses
bravely, and the people of those dis
tricts know nothing.
81 am sure that nothing could be d
greater mistake-I am not suggesting
that the government is acting for this
reason-than to suppose there would
No any advantage, apart from mill
tary considerations, in letting the
country know thereahaye 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 a nation We have
most reason to be proud Of IS that
what most stimulated recruiting in
this country was not eloquent speech
es--or anything Of that kind--it was
the knowledge Of the risks which our
soldiers Were running which made our
recruits join the army.
Wants Reporters.
PERSONALLY, i should have prefer
red, if it were possible, to have &C,
credited reporters at the sea Of war.
That may lbe impossible, but l do hope
the government will try to give. all
the Information that can be given
apart from military considerations,
and they will tell the house frankly
the principle upon which they are
acting in regard to the whole matter.
| am quite sure that nothing could
be worse than to conceal misfortunes,
If we have any, from the people OF
this country. / do not mean that it
may not be right to delay publication
of incidents, perhaps for a consider
able time for s%trategical reasons, but
l am sure it would be wrong for us
to do what may have been right in
the ase of Japan, to conceal disasters
until the war is over. The main OBJ
ject with us would. be to prevent d
panic, and in my belief one thing
which would cause panic would be it
the people of this country got the ices
that they do not know the whole
truth"
The press throughout England has
attributed slackness in recruiting
very largely to the strict censorship.
Consequently Mr.. Law was voicing al
opinion which has been current in the
United Kingdom for many weeks.
Governing Principle.
What is the principle which ought
to govern us" Mr.. Asquith remarked
in his reply. "You should be ready to