Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-30
MR.. BAKERPLANS
DAILY COMMUN|QUE
Secretary Is Considering Rad
icaI Changes in Army
Publicity.
CASUALTY LIST CHANGE

| Frankly admitting that the present
system of publicity has proved "en-
tirely unsatisfactory" Secretary Baker
is considering radical changes in the
plan, in order that the American pub
lie may be better informed of military
activities both abroad and at home.
The issue of daily statement or
communique Of important military
templated.
These bulletins would be issued con-
temPoraneously with those issued by
the French and British war Offices, but
would show more fully American par
Ittcipation. The publication Is regard
ed as necessary now that American
soldiers not only have taken over sew
eral sectors of trenches in France as
individual units. but also have been
brigaded with French and British
forces in Picardy, where the Germans
still are trying to drive their offensive
| forward.
While Mr.. Baker was in Europe re-
Gently he issued an order that any
NEWS regarding the American expedi-
tfonary forces in France would have
to come from the headquarters Of Gen.
Pershing. Since then the public has
had to rely upon newspaper corre-
spondents with the American Army
and the French official statements for
news Of fighting In which American
! troops participated.
Correspondents Handicapped.
While those reports have been fairly
| complete, they have been delayed and
frequently the correspondents have not
been permitted to write of troop move
ments until many days after the SOL
diers have gone into the battle line.
Il nr0 n1,of nfrta "a <1@o 20
| the news of the American soldiers
joining the French in Picardy. First
| announcement of that came in brief
statement in the French war office
communication last week.
| Another illustration cited was that
OF the fighting at Seicheprey, in which
the Americans were driven back by the
lGermans, but eventually reoccupied the
ground lost. The German claim that
1873 Americans were made prisoners
never has been definitely cleared up
from American sources.
Consider Casualty Lists.
| Consideration is being given also to
the suggestion that the lists Of casu-
alties contain the addresses Of those
named, so that there be no question
ABOUT ahst TT their Identity or at any rate
be made uniform in that respect. The
Navy Department gives the addresses
lof those mentioned in its casualty lists.
SO far as the navy is concerned, but
omits the addresses In the case of mem
bers of the Marine Corps serving with
| the Army. The War Department gives
out the soldiers names alone, with no
identifying information.
Secretaries Baker and Daniels are in
| conference on the subject, and it is
| regarded as probable that the naval
| system will be made to apply to the
casualty lists of the Army and Marine
| Corps.
President Said to IT, It.
4 It is understood that he President
favors giving out the addresses, as
tending to reduce anxiety and misun-
Outstanding. No convincing reason has
yet been advanced for the omission
of the addresses. and it is now admit
ted that the publication of such in
formation is Of no known value to
the enemy.
Before deciding on a broader policy
of publicity with respect to the prog
ress of the war. Secretary Baker has
agreed to confer with the committee
Of the American Newspaper Publishers
Association, which body at a recent
meeting in New York adopted resolu-
lions favoring reorganization Of the
committee on public information, di-
rected by George Creel, and radical
4 I