The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-20

gestion that they should be permitted at the front was considered shocking. Their place was taken by official 'eyewit- nesses," writers of merit but not news gatherers. After a time few war corre- spondents-fve to represent the whole British press-were permitted at the front, but they were permitted to see and write little. The military ldeas appeared to be that the less the public knew about what the soldiers were doing the better. Bitter complaints were made in England but with no result.
 Lord Kitchener was blamed for this policy of secrecy, but as Lord Kitchener was blamed for a great many other things with which he had little do it was not certain that he was responsible. Such a change has now come, however, as to indicate that very likely Lord Kitchener did stand in the way of further pub lcty. During the last few weeks, nota- bly, since the beginning of the "big push on the Somme, on July 1, the war office has permitted the publication of intimate and detailed accounts of the doings of the troops, whereat there is much joy in British newspaper offices and gratifca- tion on the part of the public. There was a time when no mention was made, except on special occasions, of regiments which distinguished themselves. It is diff ferent now. The regimental organizations participating in the operations are given by name, particularly when they do well.
 DETAILED ACCOUNTS
 The regular war correspondents at the front are taken to the scene of battle and permitted to write lengthy and de- tailed accounts of what happens. Best of all, however the soldiers are being permitted to talk under official auspices Since the commencement of the Somme fight the press bureau in London has re- leased flood of articles and interviews gathered from returning wounded sol ders. Some of these are the finest things of the war-straight stories from com mon soldiers, simply told and showing better than anything else what is hap pening.
 Photographs, too, are now allowed, and there is an official photographer at the front who is doing magnificent, and dan gerous, work. He has sent over and there have been published photographs of men going into action, of big guns, of air craft at work, etc, which, had a proposal of publication been made few months ago, would have made the war office gasp in mingled amazement and indigna- tion. Now, however, the war office is ap- parently not displeased with the work ing of this new arrangement.
 NOT ABANDONED
 This lifting of the lid does not mean that the censorship has been abandoned nor that an effort is not being made to keep strategical and tactical secrecy. The secret of the big push was not well kept; everyone in England knew when and where it was coming, and so, it is to be supposed, did everyone in Germany. Off cers home on leave discussed the situa- tion freely and no one seemed to make any secrets of the impending battle, which will stand out in this war as the only engagement that came off precisely as ad- vertised. The war office, however, is put ting a stop to unrestricted conversation and to the communication of military in- formation from France to England This order to the troops has just been issued:
 There is reason to believe that infor- nation concerning operations is being conveyed by officers and men of the Brit ish army in the field to their relatives at home either personally, by letter or by telegram and that, in some cases, code has been elaborated to facilitate the communication of information which would otherwise be stopped by the cen- sors.
 'It is to be regretted that at this stage of the war it is necessary to explain to all ranks that the sole object of he field censorship and of all other steps taken to prevent the leakage of military infor- nation is to secure substantial gains with the least possible loss
 Each officer or man who privately transmits information (even to those on whose discretion he may have the most complete reliance), inevitably facilitates the task of the enemy's agents and in directly sacrifices the lives of his com rades.
 This fact should be impressed on all officers and men, so that all ranks may cooperate to ensure that the progress of the army is not imperilled or rendered more costly by the criminal folly of a few individuals, who, if discovered, will be severely dealt with"