American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-01-20
THE MUZZLE OF JOSEPHUs.

Early in December Golfers arranged with Rear Admi-
raj Bradley Allen Fiske for a series of articles on the
United States navy. The articles were to be nonpoitical
in character. The sole intent was to give our readers a
practical understanding of the vast and intricate machine
upon which the safety and honor of the nation depends
so largely, and to present facts and theories OF national
defense which are only accessible now to those who can
read and understand technical magazines. Before the
first of these articles could be put in type we received a
letter from Admiral Fiske saying that it was impossible
for him to carry out his contract because he had been for
hidden by the secretary of the navy to write or speak
publicly on any subject connected with national defense.
1t appears that on December "a Admiral Fiske reported
at the office Of the secretary of the navy, where Mr.. Dan
ies opened the conversation by saying that he had seen
an article by the admiral in the North American Review
of which he disapproved, and added that if the admiral
had been a younger officer he would have court-martialed
him for publishing it without first referring it to the de-
partment. Admiral Fske retorted that he had submitted
the article in question and four others as well, and that
they had all been approved by the secretary. Mr.. Daniels
replied that he remembered approving several articles,
but that he had supposed that they were intended for the
proceedings of the naval institute. Then he went on to
say in about these words: "1n any case | want you to un-
derstand that | expressly forbid you to write or speak in
any publication or anywhere on national defense" Ad-
miral Fiske explained that the articles for Golfers were
intended solely to make technical matters clear to lay
men. Mr.. Daniels answered: 81 don't care. You cannot
write or speak on any subject connected with the national
defense. If the people really want to know anything
about the navy, they can come to its head. You cannot even
say two and two make four"
OF course there remained nothing for Admiral Fiske
to do but to cancel his agreement With Golfers. On our side
we felt we had a right to ask in detail for reasons, which
are set forth briefly above. At the same time he was
obliged to withdraw his acceptance of an invitation to
address the Commercial Club of Chicago. In short, the
secretary of the navy has successfully silenced one Of the
most distinguished officers in the service. Not only the
readers Of Golfers and the public generally, but Admiral
Fiskes associates will be denied the benefit of his counsel
while the statesman from North Carolina is in control
for the order, as becomes the magnificence of the great
man who issued it, is thoroughly comprehensive. More
over, through it every man in the navy who might feel
disposed to offer suggestions or advice, based on practical
knowledge, is 4 orewarned Of the wrath of the mighty sea
lord. If the public want to know anything, they must APP
ply to the source of wisdom-they must ask ~Josephus.
If the matter were not so serious, we might be disposed
to laugh over it. 1t possesses many of the elements of
comedp. We shall not emphasize the picture which no
doubt the reader has already drawn in his mind of the
scene in the s%ecretary's office-the veteran of forty
years service, the sea fighter mentioned in the dispatches
for heroic conduct, the sailor, the author, inventor, bowling
before the wrath of the majestic figure in the swivel
chair. But something more important than the temporary
discontinue of a brilliant officer, however unpleasant this
is to think about, is involved in the incident. 1t is more
than an outrageous violation of the personal rights of a
public servant, which would not be tolerated under the
most exacting military system in Europe. Without pre-
cedent or parallel in the department, it is an attempt and
not the last if it prove successful, to cut off the public
from their only trustworthy sources of information about
naval affairs.
Anyone who is at all acquainted with the recent Off
cial communications from the Navy department must
know how unreliable they are, how they confuse and dis
tort facts, cloud the real issues, and misinterpret the
arguments and plans of experts. 1t is not too much to say
that no one who is not skilled in the detection of error
WOulu u aDle 10 gam lTOm lHeHi UioctHdtlou Il real value
in determining the actual condition of the navy. Up to
this time the president, congress, the newspapers, and the
public have been able to inform themselves through the
public statements of men of position who know the facts
and are able to set them forth inteligently.> But if the
policy first displayed in the interview with Admiral Fiske
is carried out there will be an end of all information that
is not sifted through the office of the secretary and tin
ted for political purposes. For if an officer of Admiral
Fishes standing can be sienced, what freedom of speech
is to be expected from men who have no such record of
long and brilliant service as his to plead for them in contest
with the political head of the department.? 1t is particu-
larry unfortunate that this act of petty tyranny should