Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-09-04
Continued from Page one)


newspapers publishing the context
OF the report as 1t was made officially
to the Senate. were prohibited in cir
culating outside the borders Of the
United States. Among other in
stances of which that of the New
York Times was glazing example
two seemed to gain the attentive ear
of Republican senators. One was the
instance Of the Detroit News. which
the government prevented from cir
cula ting in Canada it's publication of
the aviation report, which resulted In
a serious loss to that American news
paper, inasmuch as its circulation In
Canada amounts to $4,000, and in the
day Of it's SUPPRESSION in Canada the
Montreal Star just across the line.
and it's immediate rival for that cir
culation, published the aviation re-
port.
Another instance was that of the
Christian Science Monitor, published
in Boston, paper which has never
been accused of sensationalism. and
whose policy at all times has been
one Of exceptional conservatism re-
garding news published. and one of
radical support Of the administration
as regards editorial policy. How
ever, the Christian Science Monitor
was denied circulation abroad for
three days following its publication
Of and comment on thu aviation re-
port. This. the Monitor declared.
was a very great hardship in view of
the fact that it has wide circula-
ton in England and on the Continent.
Therefore. it seemed especially
timely to ask Senator Lodge his opin-
ion Of these governmental restric-
tions. Not only as they affected the
publication of the aviation report,
which has now become an episode of
the past, but also in their broader
though perhaps more subtle relations
in the immediate future as they are
to affect all newspapers in the order
OF the War Industries Board, which
goes into operation on Sept. l, cutting
down the space allotted to reading
matter in all newspapers. In addi-
ton Senator Lodge was asked for his
outlook on the coming elections. es-
pecially that in Maine which occurs
the 9th of September. and also what
future fields of investigation beyond
that Of air craft should be. in his opin-
icn, pursued Immediately by Con-
gress. He answered these questions
succinctly. and after the interview
was recorded, went over it with care
and authorized it's publication as fol-
lows:
Senator Lodges Answer
'On the floor of the Senate last
Tuesday" said Senator Lodge, II re-
ferred to the probable effect which
would result from the governments
refusal to allow the New York Times
and other newspapers which pub |
lished the report of the Senate sub
committee on aviation to be circulate
ell abroad. / said then chat the pur-
pose of the government was plain. If !
material appears which the govern
nent says cannot be sent abroad that
Will tend to make every newspaper |
Office refuse to publish that matter |
The only people in the world today !,
who are interested in the subject and |
who do not know about our aircraft |
business are the American people. |
What the condition is, is perfectly !
we'll known to our allies and Is per- |
fectly we'll known to our enemies, and |
the effect Of this governmental order
would be to prevent the publication |
of anything relating to the aircraft |
situation in the newspapers by re-
FIJI no il,, &c,
All important newspapers send more |
or less copies to Europe. If the pub |
hcation OF any matter will prevent |
their going abroad, cost them money. i
involve the loss Of postage and all of |
that OF course. they will omit such |
matter altogether, and 1t will never
reach the American people.
THE order Of the War Industries |
Board. effective September 1st cut /
ting down the space to be used by |
newspapers, further separates the !
American people from their sources
OF information. Whatever was the |
design Of this order, the effect is I'M
aistakable. 1t can only result in the |
very considerable reduction Of special |
correspondence and special articles in !
all newspapers. The available space |
that will be left newspapers will be |
obliged to use for such necessary
items as the casualty lists, official re- |
ports, and a certain amount Of re-
strLted news from the battle front. |
by this one sweeping order the gov
eminent has very considerably re-
duced, if ii has not entirely eliminat-
ed. the volume of special interpreta-
ton sent from Washington and other
important centers. 1t is especially
significant that the order specifies
that reading matter must be reduced,
not giving to the newspaper publisher |
the option, if he should desire to ex-
er else it, Of reducing his advertising
space, though this would ,be done at
his own expense.
Therefore / look at this order of
the War Industries Board as only
another step in what is apparently
comprehensive plan to prevent the
American people from learning any
thing about the war, or it's conduct,
except such information as it is de- |
sired shall be given out. The Asso-
ciated Press and all other news agen-
cies serving American newspapers
have agreed to s.bmit to censorship !
and the only way in which they can
exist at all is by slavishIy obeying
the behest of those in control of the
government.