Evening star., 1944-07-29
Price Urges vigiIant
Voluntary Censorship
On Pacific War News
By the Associated Press.

On Pacific War News
By the Associated Press.
Censorship Director Byron Price
today called on the press and radio
for special precautions in apply
ing their voluntary censorship codes
to the war in the Pacific.
A memorandum TO editors and
broadcasters also urged continued
vigilance In reporting the war in
Europe.
His memorandum said:
This special request is intended
to direct your earnest attention to
the developing situation in the Pa
cific and Far East, and to the con-
tinued need for vigilance regarding
the war in Europe and the pro-
visions of the press and broadcast
ing codes generally.
"As you know, 1t has been Gus
tomary to resurvey the codes at the
end of every six months and make
any needed adjustments. A year
ago you were advised there would
be no change, but were asked to
review every code with your respec-
tive staffs. Six months ago some
relaXations were announced and a
special request was issued relating
to preparations for the European
invasion
No Change in Codes.
"At this time we are making no
changes in the codes, but are re-
emphasizing various aspects of vol
untary censorship and drawing at
tention to the necessity for special
precautions in the Pacific
The successes of the Allied forces
around the world do not diminish
the need for voluntary censorship
On the contrtry, it is more impor-
tant than ever that the codes be OBJ
served in spirit and in detail
Changing personnel in newsrooms
places an increased responsibility on
management to see that the vital
requirements of security are not
overlooked. Each editor and broad
caster is urgently requested once
again to take affirmative and posi-
tive action to see that every code
provision is reread by and impressed
upon every member of his staff.
please re-examine also the spe-
cial request of January 10 regarding
the European invasion and bear in
mind that the need for all of the
precautions mentioned continues
unabated with respect to operations
still to come in the European the
ater. The highest military author
tiles recognize and have stated that
your alertness and co-epartion con-
tributed greatly to the security
which was so vital to the success
of the landing in France. Your
continuing and increasing help is
needed on the battlefields of Europe
so long as the lives of our fighting
men are in danger.
Pacific Area Stressed.
with respect to the Pacifc-Asiatic
area, editors and broadcasters also
have an inescapable responsibility
The enemy knows it is our intention
to hherate the Philippines and all
of the other territory now under
japanese occupation, and to carry
the attack also to the mainland of
Japan by land, sea and air. What we
must protect at all hazards, is in
formation of the time, place and
method of attack, the sequence of
operations, the strength Of the at
tacking forces, and their technical
makeup and equipment,
I'm every reference to the coming
Pacific operations you are especially
requested to keep in mind the code
provisions against publication or
broadcast, without appropriate au-
thority, movement of ships and
troops, including shifts of which high
officers or specialized personnel, or
the presence of undisclosed units
overseas; Allied or enemy secret
weapons and equipment and counter
measures of defense: and interna-
tional negotiations dealing with mil
itary operations.
Special Precaution Given.
Special precautions are necessary
regarding information from abroad
which bears on military plans and
operations and involves any of the
subjects listed above. No such in
formation should be published or
broadcast in this country If the
enemy would be informed thereby
Information in the listed categories
coming direct from a neutral or
Allied country but which might not
be generally available in that coun-
try, should be submitted to the
Office of Censorship before use.
This restriction does not apply tc
material from enemy countries, ma
terial originating in British territory
and cleared by British censorship
material cleared by Allied military
censorship overseas or materia
which already has been published
sent by radio or otherwise generally
disseminated in any area abroad
The test should be, Does the enemy
know this?'
Dates Are Dangerous.
Speculation about forthcoming
operations should be kept strictly
within the limits laid down in the
codes and no device of speculation
or prediction used to disclose res.
tricted information. 1t always /.
hazardous, in connection with future
operations, to mention dates. ever
by month or season, or to point ou
N~u