Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-23
contribution to the protection Of our
home and fireside. for the continuation
of our prosperity and happiness n
the maintenance Of our civilization"
Is No News Good News 4.

Congressman Gallivan Of the 18th
Massachusetts (Boston) district, DEM
ccrat, has plainly voiced his W and
his constituents Indignation because
Of the attitude in Washington that the
families of soldiers who hav gone
across may not hear that they have
arrived safely" In case they are lost
at sea by way of submarine, floating
mine, or other disaster, the government
solemnly pledges itself to announce the
casualties, presumably for it's effect
on the temper OF the country at large
-an6 satisfaction to Germany. But
If we do not hear from our SONS for
a period of weeks or months we may
conclude hat they reached the other
side and are somewhere with the
fighting forces. or in intensive train
ing" il France.
To permit anxious relatives and
friends to know Immediately that
these boys are safe on the other side
would disclose to the enemy import
ant military information" George
Creel says. And yet we have heard
much Of the moral effect on the en-
envy learning that large forces of
Americans are being added to the
French and English strength.
The press of the country has voiced
its disapproval of this attitude. It is
pointed out that such methods have
not been adopted by Canada, and we
know that British and French censors
have promptly passed cablegrams to
American relatives Of their safe arriv-
al. But all soldiers cannot cable and
their relatives are entitled to the men,
tai relief.
Congressman Gallivan is a loyal
Democrat as we'll as a loyal Ameri-
a and his criticism Of the Washing
ton policy and his demand Of the War
Department will be approved in many
thousands Of homes. In part he says:
For the life Of me 1 cannot fathom
the Washington policy Of keeping un-
der cover routine news, the kind of
news that comes close to the homes
n the hearts Of the people, who
are called on to support the war with
energy and enthusiasm. No such pol-
icy has prevailed in Canada where the
safe arrival of troops at their Euro
pean destinations has promptly been
made public by the newspapers"
He sent the following cablegram TO
Sec. Of Wer Baker and Adjt. Gen. Nc
Cain:
Many mothers, sisters and wives
are no in position to obtain he in
formation, except through the news
papers. that their sons, brothers and
husbands had arrived safely on the
other side. l urge that such q state
ment relative to the boys of Massa-
chusetts be permitted to be printed by
u newspapers. These women in
many instances. are almost frantic in
their grief, because Of not hearing o.
fcially about the safe arrival of their
dear ones.
This Is especially so in that many
rumors OF submarine activities against
transports in circulation and, as is
the case very often, this is the kind Of
information that Is reaching these poor
women. May I ask for early reply?"
Many homes in Maine and Massa-
chusetts have been g%laddened by
cablegrams which gave Washington
officials a species Of catnip At. They
threatened court martial.
They seem to argue from the pre-
sumption that the only way the Ger
man government can get the news that
American soldiers are being GENT to
England and France is by the an
noUncement in the homes Of the SOL
d;ers that they are safely across
Are the officials proceeding on the
assumption that Germany is not doing
all it can, and will do more If 1t learns
(frcm the United States) that more
American soldiers have beer landed
in France?
The Press wants to know-and the
people are openly and v~ociferously Gu
rious-the reason why" the war and
navy departments (and Elaborator
CreeD refuse to let the people who