Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-29
TO CURB THE PRESS
IN THE TIME OF WAR
Division Of the Army General
Staff Prepares Bill to Es-
tabIish Censorship.
RESTRICTS PUBLICATION
OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
Draft of Measure Deals With Rela-
lions Between Military Depart
ment and Newspapers.

With the approval of the War De-
partment the War College division of
the General Staff Corps has prepared
tentative draft of bill Ito confer upon
the President power to restrict the
publication of certain information in
consistent with the defense of the coun-
| try" The bill deals with what is termed
1.-The proper relationship between the
army and the press in war;" and is de-
| signed to establish wartime censor
ship of the newspapers. In the solving
| of this problem, which has proved SO
vexatious in the European countries
now at war. the War College suggests
the cooperation of leading newspaper
men of the country.
| TT is known" says the War College
| in it's report to the War Department.
| from the statements of prominent
newspaper men that the responsible
press associations and newspapers Will
! meet the government half way in this
matter.
The press. powerful in peace. may
/ become more so in war. By Its edl-
torials and presentation Of news 1T may
sway the people for or against war and
thus stimulate recruiting and hearteh
and encourage the fighting forces In
n. Vi
tend to destroy the efficiency OF these
agencies Again, by publishing news OF
the movements and numbers OF our own
troops valuable Information may De
conveyed to the enemy
influence in Two Ways.
There are two ways in which the
press has direct influence on the sue
cess of the army:
"First-It may, by publishing names
of ORGANIZATIONS. numbers, movements,
accounts of victories, or defeats, fur
nish information to the enemy that
will enable him to deduct the strength
and location and intended movements
of our own troops.
"Second-By criticism of the conduct
of canipai gins. the action of certain ofh-
GERS or exploiting others, the people
will be led to- lose confidence IN the
army with the result that the moral
support of the people is lost; they cry
for and obtain new generals, and new
plans of campaign, not based on expert
knowledge and thought. with conse-
quent lengthening of the war or even
| defeat. On the other hand. the desire
of the people to know how the war is
progressing and how fare their men. is
one that should be fulfilled.
The right correlation of these OPP
posing interests will furnish the Solu-
ton of the proper relationship between
country. with it's numerous newspapers
expressing the ideas and wishes of diff
ferent political parties, the numerous tele-
graph cable lines, and wireless sta
lions furnishing means of communica-
ton within and without the country,
the difficulty of proper control is great.
and shows that unless the question is
taken up now and studied with great
care. and unless proper regulations are
made at the outbreak of war, we will
be in a worse position than England"
Submits Memorandum.
The War College division submitted the
following memorandum on the control of
the press in war:
ta) That an officer of the army, des-
ignated by the Secretary of War, and
an officer of the navy, designated by
the Secretary of the Navy be directed
TO consult with representatives of the
press associations and managers of
leading newspapers of the country in
drafting legislation authorizing the
President to issue regulations for con-
troll OF publication and censorship of
telegraph. cable, wireless and mail
communication wherever such course
may seem to him necessary for the de-
Tense of the country
(b) That such draft. after approval
by the Judge advocate general Of the
army. either be submitted to Congress
at once or held ready to submit when
conditions seem to warrant favorable
action, as the President may deem
proper
(c9 That whether, or not such draft
be now submitted, regulations to rem
der an effective censorship be drawn
up and careful plans be prepared for
execution of the censorship under such
regulations. These should include rec
ord of each cable. telegraph and wire
less station which would require su-
pervision by a censor: list of all news
papers. periodicals and correspondents;
selection OF army and navy officers,
prefera bly, retired. and of experienced
newspaper men as personnel of the
censorate. Following the British plan.
the assistant secretary of war could
well be assigned as director of the
censorate.
I'D In time of national peril and alb
sence of legislation the President
should at once direct a censorship of
all communication by mail. cable wire
or wireless; il necessary. declaring mar
tial law to an extent necessary to eff
rect arbitrary suppression of publica-
ton or communication of matter that
might prove detrimental to national
DEFENSE or useful TO a possible enemy
Experience in Past Wars.
The report gives instances of military
successes resulting from informa ton
CLEANED from the press during past
wars. In the Crimean war the Rus
slams. 1t is stated. gained very reliable