Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-21
WORK OF THE BRITISH
CENsORs IS DESCRIBED
~ ,e-T-r u ~ S,-g--SI- ssssssssvesS
Sir Edward r. Cook Explains Prin-
ciples Governing Handling of
News In War Times.
is wELI-KNowN JOURNALIST
Refers to Every Large Measure of
Freedom" Extended to American
Correspondents Received "Bo-
Quet" From Count Won Bernstorr.

LONDON, May 2O.-With the war not
far from completion of its second year
the American newspaper correspon-
dents In London have become so ac-
cuStomcd To working under the hand-
caps of n censorship that there now y
comparatively little friction between
the men who would send the news and
those who would stop il. Although
there are occasional stoppaEes that are
past understanding, correspondents
generally have learned the limitations
under which they can disseminate
news from bellieerent country, and
the censorS have at the same time gem
orally become more reasonable
In an interview with Sir Edward r.
Cook. who, with Sir Frank 4. Swetten-
ham. directs the press bureau cor
respondent Of the Associated Press has
been given an exposition of the prin-
cipleS under which the handling Of
news. both for the foreign and British
papers. is administered under war con-
ditions
Sir Edward is best known In journal
ism the former editor OF the Daily
News, and since his retirement from
tina, position he has devoted himself
TO literary la bors He has edited John
Ruskin'S works and was Ruskin's bio
Grapher, making many important con-
,ributions TO English literature. and
since the war began he has published a
life OF Delane. the famous editor of
the Times.
In beginning his exposition, Sir Ed
ward told the cores: .ndcnt that the
press bureau never censors articles or
kilograms criticizin the censorship.
He he
speak too much good" of the censor
ship.
Il don't suppose you are likely TO
do So he said. but it would really he
a terrible blow if you did The cnt, =
priSins newspaper or news agency and
an cihCtent censorship are natural
enemies, and If the day should ever
come when the newspapers, British and
neutral. conSpred To praise the press
bureau, II would be Il catastropi.. for
one or other of us: il would mean
either that the journalists had lost
their go or that our ccnsors here had
been neg!ecting their duty"
Sir Edward declared that the only
bouquet" thus far laid ut the feet OF
the censors came unintcntionally from
Count Won Bernstorff. Gcrmany's am
hassador To the United States when
the ambassador described the British
bureau as one which ''in its efficiency
and imaginative powers has never had
its equal in the history Of the world"
CALLS PRESS BUHEAU
4 WAR DEPARTMENT
That" declared Sir Edward lis
probably higher praise than we de-
serve, but | think Il is pretty good
evidence that we have prevented some
things which the enemy would have
liked and done other things which he
has disliked. That is Il real compli-
ment, for the press bureau is war
department."
Sir Edward pointed to the British
governments notification upon the out
break OF the war that the telegraph
and radio services throughout the en-
.plrc would be suspended, and he en-
phnsized the phrase contained in this
CONTINUED on Seventh Page.)