New-York tribune., 1918-04-26

confidence in their adequacy to punish
traaSon and sedition. But treason and
sedition must be punished, and pun
ished promptly. Constitutional power
is adequate. The defence and preser-
vation of the nation is a fundamental
principle of the Constitution.
Favors Honest Criticism by Press
Freedom of the press, in the opinion
Of Mr.. Hughes, is also one Of those per-
quisites of peace that must be res
strained IN part when q nation is at
war
"Freedom of speech and the press"
he said, "are both relative freedoms"
The partial curt2ilment of the free
dom of the press, he continued, does
not prohibit honest criticism.
at is quite obvious" he remarked,
that there is field for honest criti-
cism that cannot be surrendered with
out imperilling the essentials Of liberty
and the preservation Of the nation
are not privileged class. Even
when equipped with the extraordinary
powers OF war, they are the servants
of the nation, accountable for the eX-
ercise Of their authority"
He then urged the members Of the
association to discard partisanship
while the war is in progress, and called
TO their notice for q second time
phrase of Lincoln, eve must meet upon
a level, one step higher than any party
PLATFORM
Mr.. Hughes then discussed the uues-
ton Of censorship
"Plainly" he said, "thcre are mat
ters which for military reasons must
be concealed SO as not to aid the en-
emy. But any one who conceals facts,
even in war time, has heavy burden
OF proof us TO the necessity for such
conccalment."
Daniels Praises Draft Act
Secretary Daniels in his address said
that he spoke more as a member of
the association than as the head OF
the Navy Department. He praised the
great strides toward preparedness for
var, that the nation has accomplishing
III the last year, and spoke of the draft
act as ''the crowning act of free
people" He also was an advocate OF
the freedom Of the press.
"Jf 1 had to choose" he said, "be-
tween free government and free
press I would take the free press, be-
cause that would bring about free gov
ernment eventually"
In speaking of the work of his de-
partment, Secretary Daniels said that
the navy was now building more de-
world few V, IS ago. Merchant ships
were also being constructed in great
quantities, he said.
"Nevcr again" he remarked, "will
the U..ited States have to depend on a
foreign power to bring its supplies
across the seas"
Press Responsibility Heavy
In referring TO the responsibility Of
newspapers at this time, Mr.. Daniels
said:
"To-day as never before the press
mental agency. In times Of peaca free
dom Of the press found expression in
scoops and stories that attracted
readers 1t had mission to please and
10 instruct. To-day, with the duty of
interpreting world conditions to it's
readers and helping to win the war,
the journalist is not free to do any
thing that could by any possibility give
aid or comfort to the enemy. When
his country is at peace the journalists
chief aim is TO scoop his hated con-
temporary. To-day n scoop that gives
away information about war plans is q
treasonable set, or first cousin to it.
'"Thc press Of America has won ma
tional gratitude by its splendid spirit
Of service during the last year. With
few exceptions, the newspapers have
put EeTplce o. country ABOVE every
thing else News has been secondary
TO service. During the days after re-
Iafiong were covered with Germany,
IT was TO the papers that the people
looked for clear presentation OF the
duty of this country. ]. rang clear
and true, and when the declaration Of
war was made in solemn assertion of
national duty. the press was almost a
unit In support Of the noble utterances
of the President.
And from that hour. whether 1t was