El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-07-28

INEVITABLE consequence of the dictatorial habits
n which took possession Of governments during the
the growing disposition to control and the conduct
Of citizens IN many ways This disposition has always
been strong IN the armies, but civilians il the governments
cut, have resisted the extension Of censorship and
espionage. During the war civilians outran the army IN
taking Up the ways Of the cars bureaucracy. 1t must
have been sweet to them 70 possess and weld suen powers
for they seeking everywhere to write them into the
permanent laws Of their countries.
Attempts at censorship by the army in time Of peace
attempts suppression distortion Of information BY
courts Judicial authorities executive employees these
things contrary to the fundamental principles Of the
republic and must be everywhere and at al times exposed
ard resisted But to build up spy system part OF the
government SPY system conducted BY the executive and
judicial departments and the army seems to be resolved
upon BY strong group in every country
France, everybody knows, is plagued with govern
eut spies The United States has at least its share Of
them England going dangerously far toward destroying
many Of the guarantees that have been won thougn cen
turies Of devastating civil and political revolution.
very large part Of al the oensorshps, suppressons
and official lies Of times foolish and wrong
Ignorant and often dangerous through the effect on public
feeling opinion; but they tolerated because the
majority Of the people were baboozed into accepting the
official declaration that they we're necessary.
But there Why the people should tolerate
continuance extension Of such methods that the
dered unless they clearly and inenty threaten the
public safety It is right that the state should protect
itself from destruction and the preaching teaching, and
printing Of anarchsc doctrine whose end is the destruc
ton Of the state should be discouraged by public sentiment
restricted and If need be suppressed by force But even
IN connection with such propaganda It is often that
Of the safety valve is rarely good public policy to
suppress by force the expression Of opinion unaccopned
by overt preparations to commit crime against persons
property, OF the state.
To illustrate what is already happening IN England it
worth while refer to the pending "Ofal secrets act
which is designed take its place permanently the
statute books lieu Of the Defence Of the realm act
which enacted for war time.
The "Ocal secrets act" has infinite possibilities for
harm It has passed the house Of lord and Is expected
that the viii accept It since it is gov
eminent British newspaper gives the following
summary of some Of its provisions and their effects:
any purpose prejudicia the interests OF the
time acts taught includes
any opposition criticism that cabinet ministers
diske) son "any false statement any omission
whether knowingly nQtyou are liable TO two years
hard labor
sou keep any official yen ought
the authortles-say income years.
visit associate with have the address of
anybody who been employed by foreign power
commit against the interests OF the United
kingdom which includes every German alive.
Russians. nothing Of all other
eiguersl-tw0 years. II your foreign friend is only
reasonably suspected'-tHo years
II you know anybody who has done any OF these ter
ne lnlnEs and you aont tell the police, Sir Basil
lholnpson.s spies, an about 1.-TWO years
Any trial for OF these offences may,
quest OF The government be held in complete secret