Evening star., 1918-01-31
President and Secretary Bak'
er Favor Complete Change
in Government Publicity.
SECRETARY TUMULN
CONFERS WITH CREEL
Details of American Troops In
France Expected to Be Released
Under New Plan.

That much neglected administration
slogan, "pitiless publicity" has a new
lease on life.
President Wilson is understood to
favor and Secretary of War Baker has
approved removal of restrictions upon
news of Americas war activities, both
here and abroad, just so far as puohca-
ton does not infringe upon military ne
cessity.
Secretary Tumulty today had con-
ference with George Creel, and while IL
was not disclosed what the interview
was about, it was generally believed
it had to do with the new policy OF
greater publicity for governmental ac-
tivities.
George Creel, secretary of the COM
mittee on public in1ormation. is known
to have urged such a policy. Workers
upon his committee have endeavored TO
pry loose from the War Department
material for newspaper stories when
would have let the country know many
of the substantial achievements de-
tailed by Secretary of War Baker Mon
day, when he appeared In answer to
Senator Chamberlain's charges.
Secretary Not Responsible.
Secretary Baker has not been prima-
rily responsible. it was stated TO-DAY, for
the secretiyeness about matters which
Germany knows, and which it is con-
sfdered by administration officials well
for the American public to know. He
has been preoccupied with the tre-
mendous tasks Of his office, and in
many cases matter has been suppressed
upon Recommendation of Army officers.
naturally averse from long training to
publicity.
learned today. The War Department
will follow the policy Of the Navy De-
partment, which haz been. one of
sres.sr freedom IN -discass!ng matters
aiea sna Would M0Seo Ss Of no benst % II. sns4y.
Before 1ong, detaffed and approved
accounts Of what Is being done in
training camps and what is being ac-
compIished in France will be given to
the public.
The President is understood to be
thoroughly in favor of this policy. Mr..
Cree' has been a frequent visitor at
the White House since the speech OF
Senator Chamberlain whetted the pub
lie apptite for more exact information
about progress in war making, and it
is believed he has pointed out to the
President. ways in which the country
NAV be informed OF what Is going on
in preparation for Americas activity
in France.
In many respects the censorship re-
spectinE the American force in France
has been less restricted than have been
the activities Of the War Department
at home. Evidence of this liberal view
point, it was pointed out, is to be seen
TODAY in the story of the arrival in en-
tente ports of troops taken over aboard
the former German liner Vaterland.
Secretary Baker said that he had not
known Of the permission given to use
this STORY" and that it's publication
was authorized by Gen. Pershing's CEN
sorShip staff.
Palmer Granted Freedom.
Much of the freedom granted the
nineteen newspaper correspondents ac-
credited to the Pershing forces has been
due to the sane viewpoint of Maj. Fred
erick L. Palmer. famous war corre-
spondent who has been attached to the
intelligence section of Gen. Pershing's s
staff. Maj Palmer prepared regula-
tions in regard to the activities Of the
correspondents which surprised the
French and British in their liberality,
and with the assent of Gen. Pershing
arranged an agreement by which Amer
lean correspondents might send their
copy" home without being submitted
to the strict French censorship. so long
as the dispatches related only to Amer
ican forces.
Recently Maj. Palmer was in Wash
ington. He had mass Of material
which would have been good pub
licity" for the War Department. He
could have discounted some of the re-
ports contained in articles quoted by
Col Roosevelt as sustaining his
charges of ipefficiency. But while he
was here Maj. Palmer said nothing for
publication.
Dispatches from New York last even
ing tell Of an address he made before
the council Of the League for National
Unity, and it is understood that he will
make other speeches containing perth
nent facts about the amazing accom-
plishments of American troops now in
France