Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-03-18
AMERICAN CENSOR
PLAN UNDER WAY
Daniels Informs Press That
News of Sinking of L. S.
Ships VIII Be Given.
NEWSPAPER MEN APPROVE
List of Rules to Be Drawn Up
and Submitted to Editors
Before Accepted.

WASHINGTON. March Il. -- After
4 conference today between Secretary
Daniels and representatives of the
leading American press assoc ciations
the government began preparation OF
definite regulations to guide the press
in voluntary suppression OF informa-
tion which might be of value to the
enemy. The question Of armed mcr-
chant craft was discussed particularly
hut the regulations will be broad
enough TO cover any naval or military
movements the government deems It
advisable to keep secret
Tho press asso cations have assured
Daniels OF their desire To cooperate
and in the absence Of authority for
imposing n legal censorship will be
bound by the government request
TO Get Editors .. X.
Before the regulations are approved
they viii be submitted hoth 20 the as
sociations and to managing editors
Cf newspapers for discussion and
suggestion.
Mr.. Daniels took occasion today to
inform the press generally that his
recent request that movements OF
American merchant ships he with
held from publication, lid not mean
that arrivals Of such SHIPS in Ameri-
can or European ports should not be
reported
such arrivals" the secretary said,
could not easily afford any informa
ton that might joopardiZe life, AM
such news would be OF the deepest
interest to the public and should be
published"
Mr.. Daniels also ravo assuronca
that no effort would he made to sup
press the news If American SLIPS
should be sunk.
III there should be any disaster OF
course" he said, "the information
would be furnished and II would he
expected that the papers would print
the facts"
The departments statement regard
ing the conference follows:
THE representatives of the press
associations stated that they would
willingly. gladly and voluntarily sub
ject themselves without law to the
same censorship which might be inn
posed by law. They were willing Ia
abide by any regulations of the dc
partment necessary in connection
With any movement Of ships or armies
that the government feels it might bc
preiudicial to the carrying out Of gov
crnment policies. They desired to bC
informed of the wishes of the govern
ment so that there would be no doubt
of the character OF the news which
ought to be printed.
, Men To Draw Rules.
at WAS decided that Major Nc
Arthur of the war department, Com
mander Belknap of the navy depart
ment and representative OF the stat'
dc partmcnt would draw up tentative
rules and regulations of censorship
and when completed they would b'
submitted to the representatives o
the news associations and managinl
editors of papers in coast cities an'
interior centcrs for consideration an'
criticism. After the exchange o
views the rules and regulations will
be passed upon and promulgated b.
the three departments which ar
charged with international and mill
tary duties
Major Macarthur and Commando
Belknap. who will represent the wa
and navy departments respectivel
I'm forming the regulations, have bee
acting as censors of the department
in advising the secretaries what mill
tary information should be mad
public