EDITING A PAPER IN RUSSIA

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1452, 12 May 1905, Page 4

EDITING A PAPER IN RUSSIA

Newspapers in Russia ore divided into two elassos —thoße that aro Bubjoct to the “ previous censorship,” and those that are not. Tho former con print nothing without the censor’s approval, while the latter are supposed to eDjoy a fair degree of freedom. The theory is that if. they publish matter or comment objectionable to the Government, the Ministry of the Interior either “ warns ” them on, if the offence be serious, suspends them for a specified term, if not permanently, or prohibits their street sales or the printing of advertisements by them. Several weeks ago Mirsky’s successor, Minister Bouliguine, suspended two St. Potersburgh dailies, Nasha Jiza and Nasha Dui, for their “ pernioiouß ” and seditious editorials on ourront affairs. These papers were among tho most outspoken and liberal in tho Russian capital, but the Minister’s action camo as a great shock, for of late the papers have been remarkably bold and oandid, thanks to tho relaxation of the preß? laws by Prince Mirsky. _ Quite apropos is a satirical sketch just published by tho Novoe Vremya, the most opportunist of the great papers, describing the woes of the editor whose paper is not, nominally, subject to the precious censorship, and who, as the public believes, can print anything ho likes at the risk of subsequent measures of discipline. Part of this sketch is translated below : Scene : Office of the editor of a “ great,’’ political and literary and popular daily. The editor is gloomy and has a weary, resigned air. His secretary stands beside him and submits “ copy ” for next day’s paper. “ Here is on item on a conference of workmen employed in the X. factory.” “ Send it to the Governor-Goneral for examination,” says the editor, dryly. " Here is an account of the meeting of the oity counoil.” « To the censor of the mayor I ” “ An article on tho oarrying capaoity of the Siberian railroad.” “ To the military censor.” “ A report of the zemstvo meeting of this province.” ” To the governor for examination.” “ Some illustrations for our supplement.” “ To the different censors, according to tho oharaoter of the illustrations.” “ Here is on item about a scandal in a justice oourt.” “ Kill it ; the mayor has asked mo by telephone to make no reference to tho affair.” At this moment the doorkeeper enters and says that the ‘‘general bureau or the press " wants to talk to the editor or the 'phone. The editor takes up the receiver, listens aud says to his secretary : “ Make a note to the effect that wo are not to reprint the item about that flogging ca9o in the school.” Then, dropping the receiver, 11 What else have you got ? ” “ A letter from tho Ural about a disease that ‘ looks like ’ ” “To the censor of the plague commission.” “ A telegram from Oriel about Cholera.” “To the censor of the medioal department.” ; “ Here is a communication from A on the zemstvo meeting there ; the local censor's O.E. is on the artiole.” “Not enough ; send it to the Interior Ministry.” “ An article on labor unions in Switzerland ” “ Let me have it ; will look it over. By the way, let me see the bound volume of Ministerial circulars. Come to think of it there is something in one of thoso confidential circulars about such things.” The secretary retires ; but returns shortly, greatly agitated. “ I cannot find the volume of circulars, sir,” he says ; “cannot imagine what became of it.” The editor is stunned. He grows pale then red. “ What, in the name of Satan, do you mean ? Do you wish to cut my throat ? How can I edit a {paper without the book of circulars ? Can I carry them, all in my head ? Now, what shall wo do ? ” The doorkeeper entors and brings a fresh circular from the general press burean of the Ministry. The [editor sighs. “ What, Another one ? Good heavous 1 ’