Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-28
Regulations for American
Press. in Meeting Censorship

IN Nleetlr
Washington, May s7.-Regulatiens
for the guidance of the American Press
in carrying out. the volunteer censor
ship that newspapers have imposed
upon themselves since the United
States entered the war were issued to-
day by the committee on public NOR
nation. Virtually all of the matter
specified by the committee as danger
Gus and liable to be. of value to The en-
envy is of the character which most OF
the newspapers of their own accord
scrupulously have eliminated from their
columns. ~
In making public the regulations
which have been mailed to every daily
paper in the country, George Creei'
chairman, announced that the commit
tee was given it's name in no spirit OF
subterfuge and that It's censorship
function will be subordinated to the
task of giving the people information.
The one effort will be to open up the
business of the government as far as
may be proper and possible to the in
spection Of the people" he said. Chan
nels Of information will be cleared OF
deadwood. permitting freezer and
more continuous flow and in every sane
and prudent manner officials OF the
government will be asked to give fuii-
est recognition to the truth that pubic
support is largely matter OF public
understanding"
The committee was appointed ana
Mr.. Greet made chairman. There is
no law vesting it with censorship pow
erS.
The Regulations
Following are the regulations:
In order to prevent the use Of our
press by the enemy it is necessary to
avoid the publication Of news items or
articles which will interfere with our
plans of campaign or render more easy
the work Of hostile spies. The sup
preston of all news matter which Is
obviously likely to be of direct utility
to the enemy is urged especially. Such
matter is indicated specifically as fol-
lows:
| A--General.
News regarding naval and mill
tary operations in progress, except
, what is officially given out.
News of the train or boat sched-
ules Of travelling official missions IN
transit through the United states. II
is the duty of hospitality to surround
DISTINGUISHED foreigners with every
protection.
3-Threats or plots against the life OF
the President or other high officials un-
less announced from authoritative
sources. In such times Of tension. I'M
balanced minds are especially suscep-
tible to suggestions. and accounts OF
such crimes and trials growing out OF
them are likely to influence weak
minds and incite to criminal acts.
When arrests are made this specific
echarge should be minirnized by mere
mentisn as "disorderly conduct"
| "4-News relating to the activity of
the secret police Their work in pro-
| tecting the country from the enemy's
agents in our midst is handicapped by
| publicity.
"5-News of possible or obserged
movement of alien labor through the
! territory of the United States or their
arrival or embarkation from any OF
our ports.
| News relating to the naval opera
! lions as follows:
1.-THE locality, number or identity
| Of warships belonging to our own
navy or to the nayies of any country
at war with Germany.
| "2-Secret notices issued to- marin
ers or other confidential instructions
! issued by the navy or the department
of commerce relating to lights. light.
| ships, buoys or other guides to navi-
cation.
"3-All information concerning the
! departure of merchant ships from our
| ports.
| "4-All information indicating the
port Of arrival OF incoming ships or
! after their arrival. indicating or hint
! ing at the port at which the ship ar
/ rived. These rules apply with equal
! force to information indicating ports
! from which they sailed. 1t is suggest
/ ed that arrivals of merchant vessels
may be published under a general
heading similar to the following:
t Arrivals Of vessels;
f! At Atlantic ports. Suffolk. Neptune.
| At Pacific ports, Hankatow.
| "details as to conveys and as the
sighting of friendly or enemy ships,
whether naval or merchant
"s-Information concerning the laying
of mines or mine fields by our own au-
thorities or by the authorities of any
nation at work with Germany.
''f-Information regarding signals, or
ders or wireless messages to or from war
vessels.
"s-Informatisn regarding operations by
or against submarines. In respect TO uh>
varied reports Of submarines victims or
submarine disaster the committee goes
no further than to urge restraint and to
request that the greatest care be taken
to avoid confusion between mere rumor
and official announcements.
"9-Information relating to dry
docks and to all classes Of works. re-
pairs alterations or construction per-
formed in connection Herewith.
C-Military.
"1--News OF possible or observed
movements Of Canadian troops through
the territory Of the United States or
their arrival at or embarkation from
auy of o,1r norris