The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-15
THE PRESS AND PUBLIC DUTY.

Christian Science Monitor: Il cannot
escape the attention OF intelligent news
paper readers that the section OF the
press OF the United States which up TO
a few weeks ago, was clam0ring loudly
and persistently for preparedness ef'
fciency. and war, is now found to be
pronounced. and frequently violent IN
oprosition 10 the carrying out OF the
program which II so stOutly and en-
Enthusiastically favored. President VII
son. Il must be admitted on all sides,
was in no hurry about going 20 war.
He knew very well the responsibilities
which q declaration Of a state OF war
would shower upon himself, his admir-
lstration. and his country; but when no
nther course seemed open TO him, he
took the step. and the nation approved.
The United States is now at war, and
war is a very serious matter. notwitn'
standing that there are certain editors
who would treat It lightly, or. what Is
worse. treat IL with regard 70 the pc
culiar interests OF their publications.
They wanted efficiency. even the Ger
man brand OF efficiency, so badly that
they never ceased 70 talk about H. be
fore the war: when war made efficiency
lin certain particulars. a matter OF PRIME
even OF supreme necessity and when
Il took the form OF protecting state
secrets from the enemy, they began TO
grumble. What were state secrets that
they should not appear under scare
headlines In n free press3
Such newspapers and newspaper ed
itors as would not be gagged" or "muz-
zled. !. or "intimidated," or denied theiF
rights" and so on, were repeatedly
warned against giving publicity to mat
ter calculated 20 aid the enemies OF
the country, but they paid little or no
attention 10 these admonitions. The
presldent urged them TO be careful bur
they thought II would be a triumph OF
advanced journalism 10 publish matter
which other newspapers and other ed
itors felt bound on honor and by obi
cations 10 the nation. TO suppress. Tho
Needless. the reckless. and the defiant
sought by roundabout means TO obtain
in the state department, Information
which Secretary Lansing deemed II eX
Incident 10 withhold from the public, an1
that responsible official was al lengu
driven 10 the extremity Of forbiddinl
the employees OF his department 70 give
: information to the press.
An espionage bin, so-called' contain
ing a censorship provision. was befor'
. congress. and the section Of the pres
In question discovered in the measure
an attempt 20 destroy the most saere'
heritage Of the people, the right OF th'
reckless editor 10 publish whatever suit
- ed him. regardless OF the interests o
7 the country. IL became known tina
2 President Wilson favored censorship o
the news. and he was denounced 70
his audacity and his attempt az tyrar
ny. In reply to the storm of criticism
and abuse directed toward him and hi
administration he made Il clear. In
\ statement 20 the public, that he aske
no favors for himself or his administra
ton In the matter OF personal newspa
por attacks, but that he did seek Pre-
lection for the nation, whose Interest
I he was sworn 70 defend, against enemie
s AT home as well as abroad. Later
through some means at present ines
r pllcable, II was made 10 appear that IN
president had withdrawn his request 70
a censorship provision in the espionag
h bill. Whether or not this influence
the senate II IL impossible TO say bu
that body threw out the censorship pr'
n vision adopted by the house. The othe
Q day. Chairman Webb Of the house con
mlttee on judiciary inquired Of the pre-
&. idcnt how he felt with reference TO th
q provision, and the reply is said 70 hav
shocked those who entertained the b
- lief that the president had given wa
before the opposition TO a newspapo