The Washington times., 1917-04-28
FRENCH And BRITISH.
: TO AID CENSORSHIP
Government Plans to Follow
Our Allies in Plans to Block
Espionage.

A new and important turn was
taken today in the Administrations
plans for an effective censorship as
a result Of advice given by the heads
of the British and French war mis-
sions.
Stricter supervision of postal, COM
munication and a rigid restriction on
other means of disseminating infor-
nation about naval and military ac-
tivities will result IL Congress heeds
recommendations to be made by Pres
ident Wilson at the suggestion OF At
torney General Gregory and Postmas-
ter General Burleson, who now have
in q general way the benefit OF the
views of the international ENJOYS.
The Attorney General has conferred
with Mr.. Balfour relative to espionage
precautions found effective, by our
allies, and the Postmaster General
expects soon to have conferences with
ENJOYS relative to the policy necessary
to prevent the common enemy from
obtaining aid or comfort through the
American malls.
To Examine Letters.
1t was said today that it is alto
gether probable that within a few
weeks practically all letters will be
subjected to examination when there
is the slightest suspicion as to their
contents.
This will be particularly true of
letters going to European neutral
countries, the plan being virtually to
have an embargo IN all foreign mail.
Already there are certain restric-
tions on the foreign mall service, IN
cluding the cooperation OF the whole
postal service force in detecting pro-
German mail matter, but the pros
pective policy contemplates a postal I
censorship that will embody all the
features OF the British !
that has proved so effec- !
tive, not only in suppressing secrets !
but also in obtaining valuable infor- |
nation pertaining to naval, military, |
and commercial matters.
The sudden abandonment of the |
espionage measures before Congress |
was explained in part today by the I
statement OF an official that definite /
action was postponed at the instance |
Of the Administration, with a view
to having the advice and counsel OF |
the allies before adopting a policy.
subordinates to Act.
While the censorship problem will ]
be a subject OF discussion and consid-
GRAFTON before the international war
council, 1t is expelled that the ques-
ton will be taken up first by subor-
dinate officials. 4
George Creel. directing member of
the committee on public information,
says he is practically powerless to
organize in a permanent way until
Congress enacts laws giving him GER
tain authority. He says that at
present he is minus the necessary
to make most effective
any censorship as there is bound to
be confusion and dissatisfaction un-
der existing conditions.
Mr.. Creel Is keeping in close touch
with all the Administration officials
having a part in the plans and prep
arations for a proper, yet powerful,
and is also acquainting
himself with the details OF the most
features of the system en-
ployed by our allies.
Other Angles.
While Mr.. Creel is pushing the
work. the high AdminIs-
tration officials are. concerning them
selves with angles of the problem
hat necessarily do not pertain 20 pub
licity or the freedom of the press.
They are formulating plans for the
of the agencies and
of facts obtained
a rigid censorship for the
OF espionage and the pro-
motion of American interests.
Mr.. Creel has added to his force
Edward s. Rochester and Benjamin
A. Mattingly, Washington newspaper
men, to assist in the organization
plans. Present plans are to have Mr..
cooperate with Depart
nent Of Justice officials and handle
The publicity for that department
1t is expected that 1t will be sew
sral weeks before Mr.. Creel perfects
MS organization and is ready to as
sumo full responsibility for the Ad-
publicity work.