Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-09-06
REPORTS FROM THE FRONT

A few days ago there was some confusion over the
capture OF Lens by the Allies. One report said that the
city had been taken. This was followed by a dispatch
in the night report saying that the city had not been
actually taken, but that British patrols had entered its
western suburbs. On the strength of the earlier report
afternoon papers everywhere announced the capture Of
the city. Papers Of the following morning denied it.
And on the following day the city was actually taken.
1t is easy to see how such a mistake could have
occurred. In fact, under the conditions prevailing, it
is remarkable that more mistakes are not made. 1t Is TO
be remembered that the news reports are distinct from
the Official reports made by the generals in command,
and are almost always in advance of them. The people
wish to know what is happening, and they demand the
information at once. If they were content to await un-
til the generals make their formal reports there would
be less need for press correspondents at the front. But
the generals have other duties than that of filing re-
ports, and the people are in a hurry. Hence it is nee
essary for the great news agencies to maintain many
men at the front and in the important capitals in order
that news may be sent independently as soon as the
events occur.
In the case of the Lens matter, while we have no
knowledge of just how the error came, it could have &C.
CURED quite simply and naturally. A big fight was in
progress. Men were in it by the hundred thousand.
Every arm Of the service was engaged. The roads were
full Of troops being rushed to the firing line, columns
of wounded and prisoners being taken to the rear, am
munition trains, and all the complicated machinery Of
war. From a brief telephone message. perhaps, or from
q wounded man who had just been in the fight, a cor
respondent was told that the British had entered Lens.
In a measure this was correct. The news was flashed
to London and thence to the United States.
It is interesting to note that because Of the differ
ence in time newspaper readers on this side of the At
slantic are given practically the full report Of the days
activities on the battle front on the same day on which
the events occur. The time of Paris is seven hours
ahead Of our own time. Nearly all important attacks
are begun Just about dawn. The action develops dur
ing the later hours of the day. and when darkness
settles over France, American afternoon papers are Just
about going to press. There is time, therefore, for very
complete accounts of the action up to a late hour to be
cabled, across the ocean and published in the paper which
the American reader has at his evening mealtime.
Usually the days dispatches contain a carefully pre-
pared summary by a reliable news agency. The Her
AIDS readers receive the full Associated Press service,
which ID unequaed In timeliness and accuracy. Usually
they eontain also the ohhcial statements made by the
various generals in command. But the omeial dis
patches are often delayed. and it .s a very common
occurrence for readers Of the kAa1ociated Press dis.
patchessto have the story Of q battle before the govsrn-
ments of the respective countries have been formally
informed by their own generals.
aLELI