The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-23
NEW DEFENSE ACT
WILL HIT PAPERS
.OF OTHER STATES.
SAYS ATTORNEY
Boards '"Pro-Gernan'
Ruling May Have Wide
Application, IT'S Said

Bismarck, N. D., July 23-In what
is now popularity known as the
"Tostevin resolutions" because their
adoption by the council of defense
follows an unsatisfactory attempt
to induce the Mandan publisher to
'eat crow" following his publication
Of an editorial allegation to the ef-
feet that Frazier's $4,000 majority
represented a pro-German vote, the
Nonpartisan league believes it has
q bludgeon which 1t can turn upon
it's newspaper enemies outside the
state as we'll as on the press within
North Dakota which has acquired
the habit of saying unpleasant
things about Mr.. Townley.
Interviewed today, a legal adviser
for the council of defense who pre-
ferred to not have his name used,
stated that the councils recent Or
der, directing newspapers, organize
lions and individuals to place a soft
pedal on charges of pro- Germanism,
disloyalty and sedition, undoubtedly
would apply to newspapers publish
ed outside the state, but circulating
in North Dakota, as we'll as to those
domiciled within the state.
How WILL YOU enforce your au-
thority in the case Of Twin City
&AO" SR"POASS LII ALAS LsA44CS' bAAS at
torney was asked.
We will exclude their circulation
from the state" replied the attor-
ney.
Not Prepared.
HOW a solid barrier erected at
the eastern frontier of North Dako-
Ia against newspapers and periodic
ais which are obnoxious to the coun-
Gil of defense may be reconciled with
the postal laws and with the regula-
tons governing interstate commerce,
the attorney was not prepared to
state. He was confident, however,
that the council Of defense can en-
force its ban against obnoxious news
and editorial matter in publications
originating outside the state for cir
culation within the state in the same
manner in which the state has plac-
ed the lid on liquor and cigaret ad-
vertising in outside newspapers
brought into the state for sale.
May Have Censors.
Whether an official press censor
Is to be appointed could not be
learned. The logical thing to do,
it was pointed out, would be to
have in each large center in North
Dakota and in the Twin Cities an
official press censor to whom print
ed copies Of every newspaper and
periodical must be submitted before
they would be allowed to circulate
in the state. It was also suggested
that press dispatches originating in
the state for outside consumption, or
outside Of the state for domestic per-
usal, should be carefully censored
in the same manner, in order that
nothing incompatible with the regu-
lations Of the council Of defense may
find its way into or outside of the
state. The censoring Of private mail
matter has not to date been given
any consideration. it Is understood.
In the case Of periodicals of ma
tional circulation it has been sug-
gested that the new postal coming
law II 1t goes through, would en-
tain q censor at the nearest zone
center to whom copies Of any maya
zine intended for circulation in this
state would be submitted before the
periodicals would be introduced into
the mail. With the censor's official
permit the magazine would come
on. If he found Objectionable mat
ter they would be rejected and re-
turned to the office Of publication.
Inasmuch as foreign language pa
pers have a large circulation in this
state, it would be necessary to en-
gage as censors men thoroughly
conversant with the several alien
tongues principally spoken and read
in the state.
Twin City newspapers are much
interested in the council Of defense's
latest project, judging from the num-
Der Of queries as to the scope of the
scheme which have been received
here. They have been advised that
the North Dakota council of de-
fense's legal counsel holds that the
new rulings undoubtedly will apply
to any matter affecting North Da-
kota published in their columns.