FRENCH CENSOR IN PEACE TIME

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 231, 24 June 1919, Page 5

FRENCH CENSOR IN PEACE TIME

AS RIGID AS EVER HOW IT IS EVADED It became quite apparent on a recent date that 'the French are still exercising ftll_ their right of censorship (says the Chicago "Fourth Estate"). A cablegram from the Washington correspondent to the "Echo do Paris", containing a New York "Sun" editorial appeared in uiutiiliteiT To'rm. The editorial urged the Republicans to make a party issue and defeat the present plans for the League of Nations. This article was cut' in the most important feature, a wide gap appearing in the middle of the quotation. Tho "Echo de Paris" is one of the most important papers in Paris, and its political articles are commanding much attention. In the past it was supposed to reflect often tho views of the French Foreign Office. When the correspondent of the "Sun" called the attention of the spokesman of the American mission to what had been done he declared that the President had made, no request for such censorship, and that it was ft matter in which tho Americans could not interfere, as it belonged exclusively to the French Government. The chief of the French censors, when asked for the reason of the mutilation of the "Sun's" article, replied that he con. sidered the question impertinent, and pointed out that matter appearing in the French newspapers was not subject to American inquiry. range. As a result of five years' censorship and efforts by editors to evade the tame, there has grown up what almost might be termed a sort of cryptogram system in the Paris Press by the use of subtly wrapped up and allusive phrases which, though probably escaping the notice of the general public, are entirely comprehensible to tho initiated, 'says tho New York "Times." Such men es Capus in the "Figaro," Herbert in the "Temps," Pertinax in the "Echo de Paris," and Gauvain in the "Journal des Debats" are masters of literary expression as well as skilled journalists, and they can convey a shade of meaning that will pass the censor, but not fail to inform their expert readers. In France thero is >> marked .distinction between "news" newspapers, like the "Matin," the "Petit Parisien," or tho "Journal," ana "newspapers of opiniou," as tho French term them, whose circulation is far smaller, but whose political importance and influence are fully as great in view of the elite public they, reach. Tho "Temps," "Debats," "Figaro," and "Echo" all belong to the latter class, and accordingly there is far more accura'.e knowledge in Paris of the truth of any situation than, might be imagined, This explains why, as at present, tho sentiment of doubt or anxiety can be "widespread and general" r.s knowledge filters down through the masses from those in the secret, oven though it is almost impossible to illustrate by direct quotations any expression of Press views on the subject.