Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-09
WANT NO CHANGES /
IN CASUALTY LISTS
Interested Persons Vigorously
Oppose Omission of Next of
Kin and Addresses. u
PRESIDENT MAY DECIDE

Elimination of names of the next-of-
kin and the addresses of soldiers whose
names appear in casualty lists from
the American forces in France brought
forth such vigorous protests today
that it is possible President Wilson
may consider resembling the action OF
the War Department in ordering this
Information withheld.
An announcement last evening ex-
planned that steps had been urgently
recommended by Gen. Pershing. 1t
was stated that the purpose of tho
order was to keep valuable informa-
ton from the enemy.
War Department officials disclaimed any
intention of suppreSsing reports of heavy
casualties abroad and said that lists of
the dead and wounded without addresses
will be sent to the committee on public
Information for distribution usual. Tho
committee, however, announced that it
would discontinue issuing the lists. taking
the position that names OF men killed or
wounded would be worthless to newspapers
unless the addresses were given
Notice Issued to the Press.
The committee issued notice to tbs
press that hereafter all information re-
garding casualties must be obtained from
the War Department
So far as the committee is concerned.
IL was stated today, the matter is a
closed incident 1t was learned that
j. w. McConaughy. director of the di-
vision of news. conferred with the chief
OF staff about the order.
officers at the War Department cited
ways in which such information might
be of value to the enemy, especially IL
ii were announced by what means the
men met death or were wounded; or if
a 80 frNv
locality which would indicate the unit
to which they belonged.
But officials today who oppose the
order pointed out that the method OF
death or injury need not be noted The
War Department continues to send
notification to relatives in case Of
| casualty. and thus the information
! would reach the public anyway.
Mere announcement OF the fact that
yohn Jones or Thomas Smith is killed.
lit was pointed out, is likely to result
in a flood of kilograms from every city
and village, asking if the victim is the
John Jones or Thomas Smith from that
community
Vetoed by Secretary Baker.
1t also was stated today that officers OF
the general star previously had sought to
have such an order promulgated, but
that the Secretary of War vetoed the
idea The Secretary has given repeated
assurance that relatives shall be in
formed promptly OF any casualties that
occur abroad.
One contention of opponents OF the new
order is that the resulting uncertainty
about the casualties abroad will give
color to rumorS that persistently are
circulated about heavy casualties. Often
these reports come from pro-German
sources.
1t is likely that these considerations
will be brought TO the attention of Pres-
dent Wilson. and that he will be asked
TO weigh the alleged disadvantages of
the new censorship plan against the sup
posed military value of the authorita-
tive publication OF the information in
Washington, rather than its piecemeal
sitting through local channels when rela-
tives are informed of casualties.