COLONEL REPINGTON AND THE CENSOR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 129, 18 February 1918, Page 5

COLONEL REPINGTON AND THE CENSOR

THE VERSAILLES COUNCIL

(Rec. February 17, 5.5 p.m.)

London, February 16. Mr. Howell Gwynne, editor of the "Morning Post," nud Colonel llepington (war critic) were charged at Bow Stroet under the Defence of the Realm Act with publishing information ' respecting the proposed plans and conduct of the military operations on the Western front. i The Solicitor-General, who conducted the prosecution, said that the i "Morning Post" published, an article by Colonel Repington purporting to g'ivo an account of "momentous decisions" at the Allied Council _ at Versailles, and adversely criticising the supposed decisions, especially that the Army reserves were no longer to bo under tho Commander-in-Chief's control, but under an external authority, which, said tho writer, was contrary to all sound military tactics. Mr. Gwymio submitted tho article to tho Ceiitor, who refused it for publication, warning Mr. Gwynno that its publication would be an infringement of the Defenco of tho Realm Act. Air. Gwynne replied that ho would modify the article, but national interest demanded its publication. Tho article was then published without resubmission to tho Censor. It contained all tho material points tho Censor had condemned, and was prefaced by the statement: "There aro times when we must take our courage in both hands and risk the consequences." The case was adjourned till February 21.