The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-10
PUBLICATIONS
MUST NOT IMPUGN
MOTIVES OF THE.
i. 5. GOVERNMENT.
Newspapers May No Long
er Complain That "Spec-
ial Interests" Control
TRADING WITH THE
ENEMY ACT IN FORCE
Nothing That Hampers the
Prosecution of War Will
Be Tolerated
ny Associated prearN

(By Associated Press.)
Washington, Oct. 10.-Commerce
and communication restrictions au-
thorized by the trading with the
enemy act will be put into effect
within a few days under an execu-
tive order which President Wilson
had virtually completed last night
after comforting with cabinet mem
bers. Vance Mccormick, chairman
Of the exports administrative board
and Acting Secretary Crosby of the
treasury.
Postmaster General BurIeson an
nounced after the cabinet meeting
that the provision authorizing the
postoffice department to license for
eign newspapers already was in
operation, and that within ten days
the department would begin to issue
licenses. A number Of papers al
ready have filed applications and
scores are expected within the next
few days.
Censorship Plans.
Under the tentative draft of the
| executive order, the censorship of
mails, cables, radio and telegraph
communication would be entrusted
to board including representatives
Of the postoffice, war and navy de-
1
stration. The navy, which now GEN.
sors cables, and the war depart
ment, which exercises control over
telegraph communication to Mexico,
probably would retain those func-
tions. while the new problem Of GEN.
soring mail. directed particularly to
Spain and the northern European
neutral countries, would be given
special attention by the army and
exports administration representa-
tives on the board of censors.
| Mr.. Burleson is anxious that his
department refrain as much as pos
sible from the work of actually open
ing and censoring mail. Consequently
the postal authorities probably will
limit themselves to merely co-operat-
ing with the active censoFs.
/ Control over imports and exports
vested in the President by the trad
ing with the enemy act, will be dele
gated to the exports administration,
which will enlarge its work to in
clude the many intricate problems
presented. Instead of merely licens-
ing exports, it would then have a
more positive authority to forbid I'M
der heavy penalty expectations sus-
pected of being destined to Germany
or her allies.
The license control over enemy
insurance companies, vested in the
President, probably will be turned
over to the war risk insurance bu-
reau of the treasury, although this
Il point Is understood TO be still under
4 debate, as commerce department Of
ficials are said to be anxious to ad-
minister the insurance company IL
censes. Regulation of foreign ex-
change and export of coin and bull
lion would be given to the federal
reserve board, which already licenses
gold movements under the exports
act.
Enemy Property.
II is understood the commerce de-
partment will be given custody Of
enemy property in the United States.
The act provides that the President
shall appoint an official for this work,
but the President Is represented as
anxious not to create offices distinct
from existing departments.
The postmaster general said today
that publications need not fear sup
preston under the trading with the
enemy acts censorship provision,
unless they transgress the bounds of
legitimate criticism of the President,
the administration, the army the
navy or conduct of the war.
let criticism which is personally or
politically offensive to the admin
stration affect our action" he said.
But If newspapers go so far as TO |
impugn the motives OF the govern |
ment and thus encourage insubordin-
alton, they will be dealt with Sc
verely. #
For instance, papers may not say |
that the government is controlled by |
Wall street, or munition manufactur-
ers, or any other special interests.
publication of any news calculat-
ed to urge the people to violate law,
will be considered grounds for drastic
action. We will not tolerate cam
paigns against consumption, enlist
ments, sales of securities, or revenue
collections. We will not permit the
publication or circulation of any
thing hampering the wars prosecu-
ton, or attacking improperly our al
lies"
Judged by Their Record.
Mr.. Burleson explained that the
policy of foreign language newsDa-
pers would be judged by their past
utterances, and not by newly an
nounced intentions.
'eWe have files of these papers, and
whether we license them or not de-
ponds on our inspection of the hles,'
he said.
German newspapers not licensed
will be required to publish English
TRANSACTIONS.
mir. Burleson said no Socialist pa
per would be barred from the mails
unless it contained reasonable or
seditious matter.
"The trouble is" he added, that
most Socialist papers do contain
this matter