The Washington times., 1917-05-04
LONDON PRESS HITS
ADMIRALTY CENSOR
Suppression Of Article Demanding
Changes Raises Storm Of Protest.

1 LONDON, May 4.'Land and Water
announces that an article by A. p.
Pollen. giving detailed arguments for
making a change in the organization
and personnel of the admiralty. in
view OF the submarine situation, had
been suppressed by the admiralty.
The Star describes this as another
heavy blow struck at the liberty of
the press, and points out that PoIlen's
reputation as a naval writer Is only
second to that of the late Admiral
| Mahan The Star calls upon Parlia-
ment to take note of the fact that the
watchdoRs OF the press are one by
one being muzzled, and this at a mo-
ment when the need OF every warn
| ing voice Is evident. "The refusal OF
the government to publish full fig-
ures as to the tonnage sunk by sub
marines and mines has fostered selfish
optimism on one hand and panic mon
gering on the other" II says. "and
this is the moment chosen by the gov
ernment to muzzle cautious, level
heads and sober criticism
Pollen himself acquits the censor
ship OF all blame, thereby voicing the
common opinion OF Fleet Street that
most OF the so-called sins attributed
to the Press Bureau should be laid
at the doors OF other government de-
partments.
Condemns Admiralty.
The naval censor, says Pollen. Is a
gallant naval officer, a servant OF
the board OF admiralty. and is bound
to defend 1t to the last moment. II
object strongly" he continues, with
fine irony. ito the demolition of the
board of admiralty on the strength of
newspaper article. The board ought
to be abolished by the government.
When II is demolished we shall know
that the government knows its bust
ness, and the government ought to
know its business without being told
by the press"
Pollen had an article In Land and
Water a week ago in which u" =
lined the faults he found with the
present system of the admiralty
board His theory has been widely
discussed in the daily press since
then, and many responsible organs
have expressed approval OF its sug-
gestions.
The Star publishes the following
conversation with Pollen:
"Do you consider Sir Edward Car
son IL a better first lord than Mr.. Bal
four?"
81 shall know when l see his new
board"
DO you think the existing board is
a failure?"
LAS to that. consult the last two re-
turns Of losses The n"vs' --Amh"
of the board command the feet. The
function OF the fleet is TO protect
trade. Its success can be measured
by the weekly list"
How long do you think our food
supplies will last?'
"It depends upon whether we at
tempt to defend them or not"
How"
by organizing the powers OF the
feet"
"IIsvs you a plan?"
What is it,"
sugEests Fighting.
Put the navy under people who
will fight"
"Is this not a rash proposalg'
1T may seem so after our experience
OF the last three years. but the idea il
not original; it has been acted on by our
ancestors
DO you refer to Nelson:
Yes. but he is not the only exponent
OF perfectly sound creed
''Do you think the situation Is grave-"
Very grave"
Several papers have been taking much
the same line during the last week.
though not putting their points so
bluntly.
The admiralty board consists Of an
outside civil lord and Of sea lords. each