The Washington times., 1915-11-17

~ OES part Of the preparedness for
war in America include thc'
silencins of some of our women
prominent In society so that
their careless talk will not reveal Inn
portsnt secrets to the enemy?
Frederick Palmer. In an interview In
the Evening Mall not only advocates
such measures, but is quoted az stating
that In his opinion 1t Is even now neces-
ssry.
while l. feel sure that the United
States will stay clear of this horrible
embodiment" he is quoted; "if war did
como, the Governments first act would
be to impose strict silence on about
fifty social leaders in Washington and
New York. silence comes naturally TO
q military man. Not so with women,
they have to learn it,
While complmcnting the women of
England very highly upon their work In
the present time OF trouble, Mr.. Palmer
calls attention 10 the efforts which are
made in England toward secrecy. and
SILENT: KEEP ALI. or YOUR IN
FORMATION TO YOURSELF, SOME
ONE MAY BE LISTENING"
Leaks Discovered.
But despite this and other precautions
against careless talk, serious leaks. he
says, have occurred which the war
office finally traced to the drawing
room.
Mind YOU ] am not criticising these
women Mr.. Palmer Is quoted as say
ina ,ThS women Of EnF,ahnn ,hnm 'rs mag rs
nounced social Hfe practically all are
making sacrifices.
''The women have sent the men to the
war. 1t Is as much woman's war a.
a n piqtpfN of the world
there has never been war fought with
such deadly oarncstness by all the
people, women as well as men.
How II Is Done.
But it is in the nature of woman to
talk. Her life training has not been
such as to make her guarded in speech
like the average British man. Woman
is naturally social 1t is her JOB 10 en-
tertain-to put II touch of affectionate
intelligent human interest into her rela-
tions as home keeper and hostess.
"It is quite natural for her to say to
some friend over the telephone: oh
how do you do. dear? Alas. |. too. am
with his regiment to the Dardanelles
Yes-he was ordered first to Shoreham
camp. Picked 5000 men. And Mrs.
Smiths brother and both her sons have
understand they're to be in, the. neigh
borhood Of - etc. etc.
Cause of Much Trouble.
There are half a dozen ways this in
formation can be passed on. 1t may go
no further Also it may fly straight
to the waiting eager ear of somebody
somewhere who will use 1t to the ad-
vantage of EnGland's enemy. There
have been many cases OF trouhie since
the war began which have been traced
to this source
~ also knew Of a case where an In
nocent and neutral traveller near Mons
told his wife: I had a thrilling time
Yesterday. Witnessed battle from a
church steepIe had a distinct view oil
both sides: could see how. the troops ma
neuvered. and from whence the re-en'
forcementS came.
Next day that stceple was blown To
atoms by the Germans. and several
others in nearby villages were treated
the same way ! mention this as an
instance ] personally know OF the dan
ger of careless speech or writing.
'It would be the same way in Amer.
ica." SAYS Mr.. Palmer. And while
feel sure the United states vii, stay
clear of this horrible embodiment, yet
II war did come. the Governments first
act should be to impose strict silence
on about fifty social leaders in Wash
inCton and New York. Silence come:
automatically to military man. Not sc
with women: they have to learn it,