The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1917-09-29
DRASTIC POWERS
ICIVEN PRESIDENT
by CENSOR ACT
Inlay C0nfiscate any Sedi-
tiOus Publications at
Discretion.
'DISLOYAL ARTICLES TO
BAR PAPERS FROM MAIL
Senator Norris Says Act Is teo
Drastic and Against
Constitution.

Washington, Sept. 2S.-Power much
more extensive than was ever request
ed under the Inflated censorship pro-
vision of the espionage law has now
been obtained by the executive branch
of the Government over the press of
this country.
Instead of specific provisions stat
ing exactly what the newspapers can
or cannot print, broad powers of in
depreciation as to what constitute
reasonable, seditious or disloyal ar
ticles now have been placed in the
hands of the postmaster general.
The espionage act Of June Is gave
the postmaster general power to de-
clare unavailable reasonable or sedi-
tious publications. But the trading
with the enemy bill, passed by both
houses of Congress and before Presi-
dent Wilson for signature goes step
farther and makes it unlawful" for
any newspaper or publication to re-
print any article from any newspaper
or publication that has been declared
non-mailable.
Penalties against express companies
and other transportation agencies for
distribution Of non-mailable matter
have been provided SO if the post
master general thinks an article in
any newspaper, magazine or periodical
is seditious, he can cause the whole
issue to be confscated and prosecute
anyone who reprints the article or
assists in its circulation. This applies
to the English language as well as
foreign language newspapers. The
postmaster general was asked to indi-
cate how he planned to administer the
new combination Of laws which give
him so much power over the press.
81 realize" he said, sit is a great
power, but 1 intend to be as conserva-
tive and as cautious as it is humanely
possible to be. There isn't going to
be any injustice done. No truly loyal
American has anything to fear. And
l want to state right now that the
purpose Of this legislation is not to
prevent criticism Of the Government
or the administration or the Postoffice
Department. 1t is not aimed against
Socialist publications or any other
kind of publications as a class.
"The newspapers can denounce me
or the administration all they like and
they can have such criticism circulated
through the mails. But if We find
newspapers preaching disioyalty, pa
pers that are really German at heart
and in secret sympathy with the Ger
man Government which we are fight
ing, newspapers which are trying to
make the masses in this country be-
lieve that this is a capitalists war
and that the Government therefore
ought not to be supported, those pub
locations we intend to suppress with
a firm hand. The country has de-
clared war. Anyone who deliberately
sets afoot a propaganda to discourage
support to the Government against its
enemies its doing REASONABLE thing.
We must win the war and We cannot
brook disloyalty at home"
Burleson was vehement in his de-
nunciation Of seditious publications
but he pointed out that he was going
to exercise the utmost caution il
passing upon every one presented tt
him. He indicated that he would per
sonally superintend the administration
of the bill if signed by the President
and that he would pass upon every
case that comes up.
"Tf we are wrong" added the Post
master General, "the individual ha
redress in the courts"
But Burleson pointed out that tn
courts already had sustained the Pos
Office Department in the case of th'
masses"
Congressional opinion on the opera
ton of The new censorship varies
Many Senators and representative
believe the people must put their trus
in the righteousness Of President Viii
son. Others think the administration