New Britain herald., 1917-03-10
DANIELS APPEALS
 ID PRESS FoR AID.
Asks That News of Ships De
 parture Be Suppressed

Washington. March 1O.-FollowinG an intimation from the White House that publication of detailed informa- ton about the arming of American merchant ships would be prejudicial to the public safety. Secretary Daniels last night issued an appeal to the presD to refrain from printing where. when and how such vessels are armed and when they leave port and with what destination.
 At the same time he announced that he had requested the cable companies not to transmit messages concerning the departure of vessels from Amert- can or European ports. The wireless h, already under government control. aad for more than two years no such information has been carried on 1t.
 Nr. Daniels in issuing his statement referred to the fact that the censor slaip bill introduced 8 few weeks ago had not passed, but said he believed voluntary censirship by the news- papers themselves would be equally effective.
 The secretary said there was reason to believe that secret wireless stations existed on this continent which were able to transmit news printed in the paper to Germany. and that. even if no such stations existed. the news ire. Quently got abroad. The British and French papers, he pointed, out. were eagerly read In Germany for scraps of such information.
 Secretary Daniels Statement
 Secretary Daniels in his statement said:
 You have read the statement is- sued from the White House. and now you know that the president has the power to arm American merchant ships making trips on the seas on law. full errands, and Is free to exercise 1t at once. I do not think you ought to ask with what guns they will be armed or how they will be manned or exactly when the power will be exercised. The government should he trusted fully to carry out the policy announced in the best way.
 1T do not think you ought to aak when the ships will be armed or print when they will sail. Today re- Quested every cable company in Amer ica not to send out any news about ships sailing to or from Europe. The wireless stations are under the direc- ton of the navy department, and no news of sailings will go out by radio.
 T am going to request you and every newspaper and every news agency in the United states not to print any news about the arrival of ships or when any of them will sail for European ports There is no power of censorship in our country. The president does not have any au- thority over the press. In this time of national emergency feel sure that every newspaper will accede to the request not to even give a hint or speculation of the sailing of Amer ican ships Such publication might result in the loss of life. AS the req sons are so obvious for making this request, there is confidence in admin tstration circles that this request will be compiled with by every paper in the country.
 'All patriotic Americans are ready to make sacrifice for their country in times of emergency. The press can render the highest patriotic eervice by refraining from printing at this time what ordinarily they would free. ly print.
 "Inasmuch as 1t will be impossible to reach. every paper and news axencS directly. will ask all papers to carry this request, which is made as an ap- peal to patriotism, to all journalists and disseminators of news. The best news the readers can have is that the government will protect the rirhts of America to the freedom of the seas.. CAMPAIGN 0prN1c mO