Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-09
MORE LIGHT
ON MAIL CENSORSHIP
State Department Officials
Await Second Explanatory
Note From England.
MAY PROBE STATEMENT
OF THE WAR SECRETARY
David Lloyd George, in Parliamen-
tary Debate, Admitted Passing
Tips to Other Departments.

The State Department, Secretary
Lansing said today. is expecting fur
Their note from Great Britain, some
time this month. replying 10 the Amer
lean protest against British seizure of
and interferences with American mails.
Officials expect a more comprehensive
discussion than that given in the pre-
liminary note received July 20.
No information has been received At
the State Department as TO when a
reply may be expected to the American
note protesting against the British
black list DEGREES.
Inquiry May Be Made.
Secretary Lansing declined today to
indicate whether the State Department
will take any action regarding the
statement in parliament on the mail
censorship, made by David Lloyd
George. war secretary. that informa-
ton secured by the censors was being,
forwarded to other departments for
use FOR any national or public pur-
pose"
1t was explained. however, that the
United States would be completely
within it's rights and diplomatic Gus
tom in investigating statements made
in parliamentary debate.
Interpretation of Statement.
Evidence that the British government
10 utilizing its mail censorship not only to
destroy Germanys trade. but to obtain
commercial supremacy for itself. is seen,
according to certain official observers. In
the statement made by the war secre-
tary. Full mail reports Of this have just
reached here.
1t appears that member Of parliament
asked Mr.. Lloyd George whether ne was
aware that when the censorship was in
stituted we were told it was definitely and
solely for the object of preventing infor.
nation getting to the enemy which would
be Of advantage to them and that other
wise the freedom Of discussion and the
secrecy Of correspondents would not be
infringed."
The war minister replied that he did
not know what principle WAS laid down.
but that the government could use any
information thus secured for any public
national purpose.
Information Passed Along.
IL IL tho pEdCtiCep 6dlu inc war
minister, ito communicate to other de-
partments concerned any Information
on matters Of public interest which may
be obtained through the censorship for
such use to be made Of it as the par
ticular department may consider ad-
visable. - The government Is per-
fectly within its rights in using any
information which comes to 1t in these
conditions for any public and national
purpose"
Questions came from several parts of
the chamber. One member asked him II
It was necessary ito divulge private
letters which the censor has thought. il
necessary to stop" Another wanted to
know whether lit is the intention OF
the department to use letters which
have been disclosed in the censor's
office for purpose altogether distinct
from the purpose Of the war"
Mr.. Lloyd George replied: THE func-
ton of the war office. or at least Of the
officials for whom I am answering, Is
to send along to public departments any
information which comes into its pos
session by means of letters opened in
this way. There the responsibility OF
the war ONCE ends