Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-05-05
PROPER NEWSPAPER CENSORSHIP.

.-
NO newspaper of the right patriotic stuff has any
ection To reasoa abr censorship of the press in
1iin6 Comparatively few misrepresentation
tatifely few men in any profession outside thai
the soIdier--rpalize exactly what news is and i
& Of valae 10 the enemy For that reason a censor
ID in which military and naval men have proper
ltis necessary in order to prevent the enemy from
ring nsefuI nformation--Inuch more through lack
military knowledge by writer's and editors than
'0n6h carelessness or selfish intention.
|Inf III The first puIsing days of our own war with
fInany there was evident a move in high Official
cIps ofSthe government TO put through censor,
% 81 x VERY different kind-of an autocratic. IN
Ix0nable and intoIerable kind Congress appar
i IN has fiefeated this m0ve-which was taken with
hest a. intentions but against the american prin'
hes OF free speech and a free press enunciafed
70 our reipbltowas created ~
he Newspaper censorship clause of the espionage
WAS loosely drawn. Under it. almost anything
Naper hight publish connected in the most re,
8 way with the war could be construed as vioiat
s6De Of the provisions, either those demanding
Itfy ii military affairs or those limiting criticism
public officials and policies. "a s.zs -
re debates IN Congress clearly showed with what
mess some Of the members regarded the consti,
|onai right Of free speech Senator, Oyerman of
'1II Carolina once casually remarked that IN case
NATIONAL danger Congress could suppress all news
1,.s and .sGinmshoe Bill. Stone, Missouris mis-
statesman, made brief speech showing that he
no conception Of the constitutional guarantees
|lh surround publications.
|0 the other hand, Senator Cummins of Iowa
"a boldly, vigorously and exactly to the point on
1eceSsifg fal4a free press in war time as well
teace time He said
killaSote for the amendment to strike out the en-
10h<ection because II Is unconstitutional and be
Il viii do real harm. The president, through the
ri he has ecreated will be able TO prevent Informal
. I.|.rdine the army and navy from reaching the
my 4 WIN be better 70 60 along with that for
s. .1I Il would be 4 great mistake to draw at this
~ OF secrecy over everything relating to the
|1tI defense That would chill many a glowing
.|| ana insttii suspicion into generous mind. q
here Is no tyranny 50 obnoxious as the tyranny Of
I.|nisfered IS this law would be administered.
doctrine Of the senator from North Carolina Mr..
...I3 Is the doctfne Of autocratic power and that
| very thing Il Is now our mission to overthrow in
.||c1 world particularly regret that we should
.I|s righteous war IN the name Of humanity by
|.IIEinE in our country the very principles for
IS . are 70 fight and for which our fathers died
ne Mutation now stands, the house has over
..'n.|f defeated the original censorship clause
.1I.|ituted another more reasonable. The gov.
bent tlready has sweeping powers Of all teles
. 1reless and cable SYSTEM as illustrated by
.||& |f the navy 10 taking possession Of private
rs. Is Hawaii holus.bolus, and in clapping on
|' oiIiee censorship SO severe that Ito quote
mn. oncement mo information respecting
.| ion or delivery or other disposal will Be