The Washington herald., 1917-05-28
DANGER IS SEEN
IN PEACE news
Public Information Committee
Issues Preliminary State
ment to Press.

The Committee on Public Information
sometimes called the censorship bureau
yesterday issued a preliminary statement
TO the press OF the country. George Crcel
who prepared the pamphlet, says in II:
Every report at our disposal ernpha-
sizes the willingness OF the press OF Eu-
ropean countries to Join with their gov
ernments in the effort to prevent the use
of the newspapers by the enemy. There
is the hope and belief that the printed
word in the United Statet Will equally
lend itself to the national defense, and
that the American press will realize the
obligation OF patriotism as keenly as
those who take rhe oath OF service in
army and navy. The policies OF the Som-
mittee will be based upon this assump-
ton. Cooperation is the vital need. not
grudging obedience to resented orders,
and there will be earnest effort 10 frame
all rules in such a way as to appeal to
common sense as well as to patriotism o
Makes Three Distinctions.
Creel says in one part OF his booklet:
''The only news which we wish to keep
from the authorities in Berlin Is the Kind
which would be of tangible help 10 them
in their military operations"
He segregates news generally into three
headings, dangerous" 'duestionab ble''
and matters which do not AFFECT the
conduct of the war, do not concern this
committee and are governed only by
peace-time laws Of libel. defamation of
character. etc"
Under the head of dangerous" come
news OF naval and military movements
news about foreign missions, threats
against the life OF the President, news OF
the Secret Service. news OF merchant
ships, information regarding mine aelds,
signals. submarine operations, hand de-
fenses. aviation. etc.
Under the head OF questionable, Mr..
Creel names narratives Of military or
naval life. including life In training
camps, technical inventions and sensa-
tional rumors, for instance. epidemics in
camps. He desires that questionable"
matter be submitted to the bureau before
publication.
Holds Peace Rumors DANGEROUS.
Already there is criticism here OF one
paragraph. This is said to be the sug-
gestion, not Of Mr.. CreeI, but OF the state
Department It reads:
Speculation about possible peace Is an
other topic which may possess elements
of danger. as peace reports may be Of
enemy origin, put out to weaken the
combination against Germany"
1t is said that il the censorship section
should be put in the espionage bill, Presi-
dent Wilson could then forbid any dis
cussion OF peace. even though a great
section Of the country was interested in
sUch a possibility, and desired II.
Mr.. Creel says that some Of the bel
ligerents have even tried TO refuse real
news TO neutrals. His policy will be
otherwise, he says, adding that there
will be full flow of news to South and
Central America
E1eepts Constructive" Criticism.
The question of criticism OF govern
mental policies has been much discussed
in connection with the censorship bill
now pending in Congress. For the COM
mittee on public information Mr.. Creel
says:
The work Of the committee will be
rendered more easy and more effective
II It is clearly understood that there is
neither aim nor inclination TO interfere
with expressions OF opinion or criticism
Of policies or persons"
He suggests, however, that this criti.
cism be not vicious and abusive" but
specific AMI OF q constructive char
acteD"