The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-06
Senators Warn Public to View
Rationed Paris Cablegralns
With Suspicion.
SUBTERFUGE Is CHARGED
Democrats Sit Silent as Head
of Information Committee
Is Denounced.
ss.c,o, DessatcA TO Tue suS.

the organization presided over by
George Creel to review all press de-
spatches and TO give out authentic
news" of the conduct OF Americas
part in the peace negotiations, stirred
the Senate to wrath to-day.
In the face OF Mr.. Creels statement
a few days before his departure that
he would not exercise a censorship,
the Paris statement attributed to Ed
gar Sisson, Mr.. Creels right hand
man, now in Paris arranging for the
organization Of tho new committee on
public information, was regarded as a
direct controversion Of the statements
Of the President as to open cable COM
munication.
The Postmas ter General had also
made the statement that there would
be no censorship and Mr.. Creel had
declared a very different purpose as
the object OF his trip.
johnson Opens Debate.
The expressions Of the Senators
were couched in bitter phrases. The
debate opened with a statement from
Senator Johnson (Cal), who read a
copy of the Sisson report and said:
I'VE have heard very much about
the mode OF communication between
Paris and this country on the peace
conference proceedings and we have
been told that there is no restriction
on the news which would come to us
respecting that proceeding. / am very
glad that we have thus been told
and take It that that wiz be the
fact.
II am not concerned with the legal
aspects OF the Presidents trip. He
determined to take il and we made
the best OF his determination, but I
am concerned with what may come
to America OF the proceedings of the
peace conference; ard l am concerned
whether the news that comes to us
shall be rationed and censored.
at want 10 call the attention of my
colleagues to this news item sent by
cable from Paris SO that they might
with me, IL their views be similar
to mine. protest against Creel ra-
toned news from Paris or any CEN
sored information that shall come to
us from the peace conferences"
The Presidents promise, made In
| his address to Congress on Monday
and Postmaster General Burlesop's
| statement regarding non-interference
with the cabling of news were read
into the Record by Senator Watson
| Undiana). He said they were incon-
| sistent with the Sisson statement.
Hits Crecl. Not the system.
| At this point Senator Walsh Mon
! tana) essayed to defend the policy
He told Senator Watson that the "ra-
tioning Of space on the cables would
be obligatory.
Il am not complaining so much
about the system OF rationing as
am about the man who is to do the
tionng" Of space on the cables would
II desire to say that my conten.
ton was that George Creel was &c
be taken over 10 France in order that
! he might send forth all of the news
| that came to this country rcgarding
| the deliberations at the Peace Coun.
| Gil This is exactly what l believed
then and II is precisely what be.
| lieve now. This article simply con.
Arms me m that opinion.
II am not disturbed about the ra-
! tioning; I am not disturbed about the
| capacity OF the cables, but I am dis
( turbed about the man who is to have
absolute charge Of every word that
/ comes to this country respecting the
deliberations of the peace council. That
man Is George Creel, and George Cree
! was taken there foy the express pur.
: pose Of censoring il all.
That is what l complain Of AID
again want to warn the American
people that II George Creel is to censor
/ the words sent here and If nothing IS
10 be put on the wire except the thing.
Of which he approves, they shoulC
make a great allowance for its truth.
fulness and authenticity"
Democrats Arc Chagrtned.
Senator Watson's speech was re-
ceived in silence by the Democrat s
They recalled privately the warning.
which both Senators Sherman an,
Watson had made in the last session
but they made no attempt TO decenc
the Crcel policy as outlined by Mr.
Sissoa. The Democrats are deopl,
chagrIned over Creevs Paris employ.
ment and privately deplore his rctcu.
ton.
+ When Senator Watson had fntshc,
Senator Sherman contributed to tn,
excorlation OF Creel. saying:
Il am not complaining about IN,
exercise Of the power now that Il hal
been assumed by Mr. Creel. II WA,
delegated and made possible n,
friendly action in this Senate. 7.....
l am complaining about is that Con
gross has been derelict in its duty /,
permitting such power 10 be delegate
The cable despatch from Paris onI,
confirms what every Senator an,
every well informed man In the pres
gallery has believed all along"
Senator New GndanaD called at
tention to the fact that twelve ncv