Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-05-23
WILSON insists ON
PRESS CENSORSHIP
Announces His Stand After
House Republicans De-
eide to Fight it
DEFEAT OF BILL
AGAIN SEEMS CERTAIN

WASHINGTON, May pa decision
by House Republicans in caucus yester.
day to oppose any newspaper censorship
provision in the pending espionage bill
Was followed by letter from President
Wilson to Chairman Webb. of the Judi
ciary committee rcitcrating that it was
imperative that Congress grant censor
ship powers TO deal with the few per-
sons who cannot be relied upon to OBJ.
serve "a patriotic rcticence about every
thing whose publication could be Of in
jury
II have been very much surprised -
wrosc the President. "to find several OF
the public prints stating that the admin
istration had abandoned the position
which it so distinctly took, and still
holds. that authority to exercise censor
ship over the press TO the extent that
that censorship is embodied in the re-
cent action of the House of Representa-
tivcs is absolutely necessary to the pub
lie safety. II, OF course, has not been
abandoned. because the reasons still eX-
ist why such authority is necessary for
the protection OF the nation.
Cannot Rely on Some Persons.
II have every confidence that the
great majority of the newspapers of the
country viii observe a patriotic reticence
about everything whose publication
could be Of injury. but in every country
there arc some persons in position 10
do mischief in this field who cannot be
relied upon and whose interests or de-
sircs will lead 10 actions on their part
highly dangerous TO the nation in the
midst of war. I want 10 say again
that il seems to me imperative that
powers of this sort should be granted
The House espionage bill carried
censorship provision, but the one by
the Senate did not. and this was one
OF the differences which sent the
measure to conference. where II has
been discussed for more than a week
without an agreement The Presi- !
dents letter caused some surprise
because many members OF Congress |
and some administration leaders had
understood for several days that no
further attempt was TO be made at
present to put through any such pro
vision
Representative Webb announced
upon receipt of tho Presidents letter
that he would wage determined
fight i'm behalf OF the Gard censorship
amendment. written into the bill in
the House by narrow margin. just
before IL was sent TO conference.
Defeat Is Predicted.
Republican leaders. however pre-
dicted tho defeat OF the Gard censor
shin provision in the espionage bill
following the almost unanimous adop-
ton. BY the Republican conference Of
,.tafs ,..rrIttffaf 4nn1Ultf ~ inc
The pariy against any censorship a.
this time. The operation OF this plan
would be 10 support a motion 10 re
commit the bill to the conferees with
Instructions TO strike out the censor
ship provision in the event that the
House conferees prevail and secure
retention OF the Gard amendment.
Republican leaders announced after
the conference that they would be
able TO Obtain sufficient strength from
the Democratic side to insure this ac
ton in the House AS the Senate is
fixed in its opposition TO any cen
sorship provision such action by the
House would end the matter
Republicans. however. will not be
free 10 oppose any censorship provi
sion the conferees may write. Many
Nopup-Nohe ~ incl WV va ny ~
Cormick substitute proposal when the
bill was before the House are COM
mtted 10 a censorship provision
which will regulate only information
about the movement OF troops or
vessels or projected military opera
tons
Following the conference IL became
known that Minority Leader Mann has
agreed to name a Republican steer
ing committee Of four members and
himself within few days. There i"
virtual agreement. at least among tie
leaders OF various we'll defined ele-
ment sin the party. that Representa-
tives Gillette. Massachusetts; Len
root Wisconsin and Moore OF Penn
sylvania should be on the committee