New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-25
Drastic Political Censorship
Clamped on Press by Daniels
Secretary Despite Promise Suddenly Announces Stringent
Ruling Which Would Prevent Any Criticism OF the
Administration Policies

partment. Mr. Harrison drafted the
section forbidding discussion of poll
cics" without consulting the State De-
partment. The military representatives
did not iniorse Mr.. Harrison's sugges-
ton, but it was agreed TO by Mr. POLK
and Mr. Daniels.
Regulations for the guidance Of the
press of the United States in handling
news in the present emergency, framed
by officials of the State, War and Navy
departments. and accepted by repre-
sentatives of the principal press asso-
Citations, were made public to-day. The
regulations are as follows:
ain view of the desire OF the press
Of the country to refrain from the PUB
LEGATION of information harmful to tire
public interest. and with the intention
Of securing the maximum publicity
with the least injury thereto, the fol,
lowing regulations are hereby issued
for its guidance, which 1t rs earnestly
requested be closely observed:
"No information, reports or rumors
should be published which tend to dis.
close the military and naval policies OF
the government of the United States.
(This regulation is directed against
the publication of any news or CON-
disposition or operation of armies or
their subdivisions, or the feet or its
subdivisions. any measure which might
be adopted in consonance with the De
partment Of State for the lutheran 'e
Of American defence and. IN general,
any plans for the use of the army and
navy during the existence OF national
emergency
"No information, reports or rumors
should be published which tend to dis
close:
Movements or employment Of armies
and their subdivisions, fleets and their
subdivisions.
movements of vessels of the navy,
or their arrival at or departure from
any port.
Departures Of merchant vessels
should not be mentioned. and it is de-
sired that the name of the port Of ar
rival be omitted
Assignment or movement, whether
as groups or individuals. Of officers
and men of the military and naval es-
adjustments.
Transportation Of mails, supplies or
munitions.
Information Of any designs, inven-
ton or test thereof; or of manufacture,
transport or distribution of implements
of war.
Concentration Of military or naval
supplies, or location of such supplies.
Activities in or about arsenals, forti-
fications, army posts, naval magazines.
navy yards, naval bases and radio sta
tions.
qualification of any maps, diagrams
or photographs which in any way might
seem of military or naval value.
"No moving pictures should be dis
played which are Of military or naval
value.
"Any doubtful matter should be sub
mitted to the authorized representa-
tives, of the department concerned, who
shall give an immediate decision there
on, and keep the inquiry made strictly
confidential.
at is requested that no information,
reports or rumors attributing a policy
10 the government in any international
situation. not authorized by the Presi-
dent or a member of the Cabinet, be
published without first consulting the
Department OF State.
1.-The above regulations shall not be
enforced in any matters officially given
to the press by properly authorized
officials"