Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-02
TO CURB. THE PRESS
IN THE TINE OF WAR
Division OF Army General Staff Pre-
pares Bill to Establish
Censorship.

pares Bill to Establish
Censorship.
WOULD LIMIT PUBLICATION
Provides That President, When He
Deems II Necessary, May Prohibit
Printing of News Relating to Gov.
ernment's Armed Forces.
WASHINGTON. June With tho
approval OF the War Departments the
War College division OF the general
stan corps has prepared 4 tentative
President power 10 restrict the purh-
cation of certain information inc,n-
sistent with the defense OF the ..,ur-
try" The bill deals with what il
termed the proper relationship b.
tween the army and the press in war"
ana is designed to, establish a var
time censorship " the newspapers In
the solving of this problem. which has
proved so rexatious IN the European
countries now at war. the War COL
lego suggests the cooperation OF lend.
ing newspaper men of the country
1T Is known" says the Wa college
in itY report to the War pepai ;mcnt.
from the statements Of prominent
newspaper men that the responsible
press associations aud newspapers will
meet the government half way in this
natter
The press. powerful in peace. may
become more so III war BY It's cdi-
torials and presentation OF news IL NAV
sway the people for or against war, and
thus stimulate recruiting and hcarton
and encourage tho lighting forces in
their work. or by adverse criticism may
tend To destroy the efficiency OF these
agencies Again. by publishing news
OF the movements and numbers Of our
frOfIl1S {f,fp
he conveyed TO the enemy"
there are TWO ways in which tho
press has direct influence on the sue
cess Of the army:
First-lt may, by publishing names
or 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
"Secoud--By criticism of tho conduct
OF campaigns. the action of certain Of
fcers or exploiting others. the people
VIII 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-
uuent lenKthcninE of tho war or even
defeat. ON the other hand. tho desire
of the people to know how the war is
one that should be fulfilled
SOLUTION OF RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN ARMY AND PRESS
"rhe right correlation of these OPP
posing Interests viii furnish the solu-
ton of the proper relationship between
the army and the press in war IN our
country, with its numerous newspapers
expressing the ideas and wishes OF diff
ferent political parties. the numerous
telegraph. cable lines and wireless sta
tions furnishing means Of communities
tton within and without the country.
the difficulty of proper control is great
ana shows that unless the question is
taken up now and studied with great
| care. and unless proper regulations arc
made at the outbreak of war. We viii
he In n worse position than England"
The "nr College division submitted
the following memorandum on the con-
troll Of tho press in war:
ta) That an officer OF the army, des-
ignated by the Secretary or War, and
III officer of tho navy, designated by
the Secretary Of the Navy. he 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.
Oh That such draft after approval
10y the judge advocate general of the
/ army. either he submitted TO Congress
at once OF held ready to submit when
conditions seem to warrant favora bio
action. aS the President may deem
proper.
'c) That whether or not such draft
be now submitted. regulations to rem
der an effective censorship be drawn
up and careful plans he 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 SUI
perviklon by censor, list OF all news
papers. periodicals and correspondents;
! selection OF army and navy officers,
preferably retired, and OF experienced
! newspaper men as personnel Of the
Censoru,e. Following the British plan,
the Assistant Secretary OF War could
we'll be assigned as director of the
censurate.
PRESIDENT SHOULD DIRECT
| CENSORSHIP OF COMMUNICATIONS
/ td) In time Of national peril and alb
sencc OF Legislation the President
should 1T once direct censorship of
all communication by mail, cable, wire
/ or wireless: If necessary, declaring
martial law TO ;In extent necessary to
effect arbitrary suppression Of publ
cation or communication OF matter
| that might prove detrimental to ma