The sun., 1917-05-29
THE DUTY OF A FREE PRESS.
John Delane's Fearless Definition Of
Newspaper's Functions.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUS-Sir: The
press censorship bill now under discus
sion in Congress emphasizes the advan-
taees of publicity when not disclosing
military information as 1t was forcibly
illustrated in 1884 when Lord Derby
delivered a hot attack upon the London
Times In the House of Lords for pub
fishing certain information on the
threatened war with Russia. John T.
Delane the editor, came out with this
defiance:
This journal never was. and We trust
never will BE-, thee journal OF any Min
ister. and we place our own independence
far above the highest marks OF confidence
that could be given us by any servant oil
the Crown. The part we have the honor 10
take In public arairs is guided and sup
ported by as high public sense OF the
honor Of the profession and the Interests OF
the country as will be met with among those
who pursue in public life tho distinctions
OF personal power or tho emOluments OF
once We aspire. indeed, to participate
in the government OF the world, but the
power We seek is due to no adven:!iious
circumstances, but Is exercised solely and
freely by sway OF language and reason
over the minds, Of men. Since II IL our
good fortune to BE- Independent Of party
and fearless followers Of honesty and truth,
, we are little moved by the railing or mis-
| representations OF contending statesmen.
Nor have we any inducement to exchange
the modest obscurity which enshrines our
labors for the empty notoriety which re-
wards their efforts. As long as we use the
Information We obtain and the influence
We possess for the honor and welfare OF
| the country the people OF England will 10
us Justice: and ~e are bold enough 10
place the duties and the power Of man.
be he eve- so humble, who contributes 10
form Alright the public oplpion OF this
nation not IN. below the worth Of those
who have served the State with honor.
We are told by biographer Of Delane
that it was the fearless exposure by
| William II. Russell. the Times CORE.
! spondent. of the sufferings and misman-
agement of the British troops in the Cri-
mean war that saved the remnant OF the
army at that time, inspired the mission
OF Florence Nightingale and overthrow
| the Ministry OF Lord Aberdeen. Delans
himself wrote Of the defects of military
| organization, the absence OF medical
s, ores and comforts and the sacrifice
in one instance Of 500 lives by bureau.
cratic blunder.
on one occasion Russell. having OBJ
served the shortcomings of the authori,
ties a, home and commanders In the
field. asked of the London office Am
to tell these things or hold my tongue %
! and without waiting for answer acted or
| his judgment.
All England rang with Indignation a
the sorry plight of the troops and at th'
miscalculation OF the authorities. Tn.
Queen wanted to know by what righ
| the press tried her officers. and tho Prime,
Consort called Russell "a nrtserabl,
scribbler." One writer of the day truste,
the army would lynch him on the othe
hand. a high military authority main
tanned that by the telling OF the story O
| the sufferings Of the men the remnant o
the army was saved. Kinglake, the his
| torian. says the abused Times used II
strength in the spirit Of "a patriot ktag
| sir Edward Cook says when Delan
| spoke ont he spoke not as n mere Jour
nallst catering for curious appetites bu
as public man. To apply IA remedy, L
form a sound Judgment, 1t was necessary
he held, To let the facts be general.
known.
His correspondents were all instructe
/ to tell the truth without fear or favor
lie used to say, publicity is my trade
details the public wants and details
shall have" ISAAC MARKERS
New York. May 2s.