The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-03-14
CENSORSHIP ON SHIP MOVES.
DANIELS CALLS FOR AMERICAN
PRESS TO MAINTAIN SE.
CRECY.
Move Would be Voluntary, as Censor
ship Could not be Enforced Legal.
ly, but Secretary of Navy Believes
Americans Will Aid Administra-
ton to This Extent.

regal authority to establish general
censorship, the administration to-
night appealed to the patriotism of
VI the country's newspapers and cable
companies to suppress publication
about movements of Amer;can mar
chant craft now to be armed against
German submarines.
The best news that readers can
nave Secretary Daniels said, "is that
the government will protect the rights
oi Americans to the freedom of the
seas. -
The publication of details can
serve no good purpose and might
Jeopardize human life"
Mr.. Daniels has determined mt 90
reveal any of the departments plans
Tor carrying out the policy ordered
oy President Wilson. He previously
has stated that the navy is prepared
70 carry out the instructions.
Navy yard commandants will SUI
perintend the actual installation of
guns on merchant craft. The rifles
range from heavy inch rifles TO
inch weapons and smaller guns. The
number OF guns to go on each ship,
the personnel selected to handle the
guns. the time of sailing or the
names OF ships that have been arm
ed will not be disclosed.
Secretary Daniels in a statement to
the newspaper men said:
You have read the statement is
sued from the White House and now
you know that the president has the
power to arm American merchant
ships making trips on the seas on
lawful errands and is free to exercise
it at once. I do not think you ought
to ask with what guns they will be
armed Or how they will be manned
or exactly when the power will be
exercised. The government should
be trusted fully to carry out the
policy announced in the best way.
do not think you ought to ask when
the ships will be armed or print
when they will sail. Today I request
ed every cable company in America
not to send out any news about ships
sailing to or from Europe. The
wireless stations are under the di-
rection OF the navy department. and
no news Of sailings will 60 out by
! radio.
Il am going to request you and
every newspaper, every news agency
in the United States not to print any
news about the arrival of the ships or
when any of them will sail for Euro
pean ports. There is no power Of
censorship in our country and the
president does not have any authority
over the press. In this time Of ma
tional emergency / feel sure that
every newspaper will accede to the
request not even to give a hint or
speculation of the sailing Of Ameri-
can ships. Such publication might re-
suit in the loss Of life. AS the rea-
sons are so obvious for making this
request there is confidence in admin
istration circles that this request will
be complied with by every newspaper
in the country.
o<r;o
to make sacrifices for their country
in times of emergency. The press can
render the highest patriotic service
by refraining from printing at this
time what ordinarily they would free
ly print.
'Inasmuch as it will be impossible
to reach every paper and news agency
directly I will ask all papers to carry
this request, which is made as an ap-
peal to patriotism to all Journalists
disseminators of news"
With the departure of the first arm
ed American ship it will be necessary
for the navy department is issue in
Structions to gun crews as to the man.
ner in which the weapons are to be
employed. In that will be involved
a declaration Of policy as to whether
the appearance of a submarine in the
neighborhoOd of a ship is sufficient
warrant for opening fire. Officials
would not discuss this aspect Of the
situation.
When the application of a ship
owner for arms has been approved
the commandant of the nearest navy
yard will be instructed to place the
guns aboard. In some cases struc-
tural change - ships decks may he
necessary to ..ry the gun weight. In
any event, however, it will take no