Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-17

spies to Germany in time to be Of use
to Berlin in its U-boat -plans. But
when a unit Of q feet Of units IL safely
in France. 1t is certain that Berlin
knows all about 1t at once. Why
should Washington try to keep h in
formation from those here who are
vitality interested, those on whom IL IL
calling for more men and more money
for the maintenance Of the war?-A
Boston Newspaper.
We do not understand that HI press
Of this country has agreed to suppress
its own judgment and sacrifice its
readers to the moods Of a finical elab-
orator. Speaking for the convictions
Of this newspaper We cheerfully COM
ply with the reasonable requests Of the
government not to publish or give out
information in regard to the train or
boat movement Of troops. Such infor-
nation is dangerous to our own boys.
For the same reason we would withhold
all information concerning the number
Or identity Of troops in expeditionary
forces abroad; the names Of line off,
Officers; the location Of permanent
bases abroad, or actual location Of
American forces at the front; he
movement of military forces toward
seaports or assembling Of forces at
seaports; the arrival Of American war
vessels, transports or troops at ANY
European port; the time Of departure
OF n war vessels. transports or
troops, or ports from which such forces
had sailed at ANY time; locality, num-
Der or identity Of warships Of the Unit
ed States OF allies; the coast defenses
of the United States or allies: the lay
ing Of mines or harbor defenses.
We gladly suppress any information
that a in any way prove dangerous
to our IONS and brothers, if such IN
formation should come to the hand Of
the enemy.
But. we have another duty to per-
form.
Within our reach are thousands Of
families living in suspense because
days and weeks have passed since word
has come from the absent enlisted or
drafted SON. Tortured mothers are
passing fevered and sleepless nights.
praying for boys whose last letter home
was brief and hurried: I'VE are about
to move, but we don't know when or
where" Or. it might have been: I'VE
are going across; bags all packed and
are sleeping in BUR clothing ready to
start at a moments notice."
1t would be an un-American mother
or father whose anxiety was not
aroused by such a message and the
following weeks Of dismal silence. We
are told Of n invalid mother whose
in aginings Of her son fighting Nor life
in the sea after wreck of the transport
by U-boat, had brought her to the
verge Of insanity. Other mothers have
passed days and nights OF mental tor
ture because the message that would
relieve their suffering is withheld by
an apathetic individual in official posi-
ton.
The Kennebec Journal believes its
first duty. in the publication or sup
preston of facts, is to the soldiers and
sailors as its judgment and the advice
of those in tactical positions dictate;
and its next duty to its readers in the
homes from which those soldiers and
sailors are taken. None can question
our loyalty to the nation or support Of
the government; but we are tired Of,
and indignant because Of, the modera-
ton and don't-care-a-d- disposition
OF certain officials with regard to the
great anxiety of the people.