CENSORED NEWS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2222, 7 August 1914, Page 6

CENSORED NEWS

SECRECY THAT MAY PROFIT -, ; LESSONS "OF THE PAST : -: One.of. the "subjects'which is causing considerable discussion in the : City at E resent' is the ■ censorship of news.-! "A reporter-was officially, informed yesterday that strict ordors are contained in the regulations' on which censor's are working to the effect that Pness telegrams emanating from tho theatre of war, and which have been passed in the'case of those referring to naval operations by,tho naval-authorities, ; arid in tho -case of those referring to military operations .by the military, authorities in the field, could not be stopped'in transit, except: for veryurgent reasons, /the case being reported by cable- at once'.by the censor hero to the chief censor in London. '. It was pointed out' that! it is no exaggeration to state .that 'the . victories, gained ,hy Germany over France in 1870,; by Japan oyer Russia in I!KU, and by Bulgaria in 1912 were due Tn nosmail i-measure.'to tho secrecy that veiled their operations—a' secrecy' that'' extended to the .Press in every case; This, ittbre, is'the considered opinion of tho London rauthorities: In the 1870 campaign MacMaihon's do'wnfallat: Sedan waß'primarily due. to his movements' being given away by the British Press in London. M;oltke,was in ignorance of MacMahon's movements, but their publication in London led to their transmission. to Berlin; thence,to the German General.: Thereis, also, the!story of the.Japanese-General, who. "sitting down" outside', a beleaguered Russian city, placed- so 'high a value on ribsblnte secrecy that' he:'.s'ot this example tp his array:- He did not'-wi'ite or. send one.line to his'family from beginning to end of the seige. . Major. Gibbon?, Director of Militarv Operations and Intelligenbe'at Headqunrters.' urgently .asks; witlf resard to .the publication or circulation of information relating to, the nfesmit crisis;'that no reference should lie circulated: . .m.Movenvmts of British naval vessels" in tho Pacific. , (2). Coaling arraneements, or.hire of colliers, whether connected with the. Navy or . private • interests. ' • ' (,1) Routes taken by British sliippiiiir. ' J4) Shinning, news, except.as' regards >;ew Zealand coastal shipping. (")) The destination of anyoxpeditionavy forco should it ever become necessary to send one or the date of the dispatch; ,AN'AUSTRALIAN PROTEST. By 'Megrapli—Prcg? Xsjnwntinii-nnnvrirlit. '"(Kcc. August" o, ii.io p.m./ ' ~ ■ , ' London, August 5. ■ Mr. Carmichacl. Minister of Education in New South Wales, interviewed Mr. Lewis Harcourt, Secretary of Sbto for Colonies, and' protested against the undue oensorship of press cable messages

to Australia. Mr. Harcourt is investigating the matter. ■ Mr. Carmickael has cancelled his engagements and is preparing to return at the earliest opportunity. •