DISCIPLINE FOR THE GERMANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1919, Page 5

DISCIPLINE FOR THE GERMANS.

OCCUPIED TERRITORIES j FIRM ACTION BY ALLIES. 1 London, Jan. 2. Router's correspondent at Amsterdam states that in connection with the reports that the fiermaris do not yet know that they are beaten, it is pointed out that the inhabitants of Cologne and other occupied centres are rapidly acquiring wisdom The Kolnische Zeitung states that the British Governor-General recently extended the hour when all must be indoors from seven o'clock to nine o'clock and beseeches the people to comply most strictly with the orders of tile 'British authorities, as otherwise the hour may be again aevei) o'clock or earlier A message from Coblenz says that German propaganda in districts under occupation by the Americans has been abruptly ended by the establishment of a censorship 'by Major-General Dickman upon newspapers and theatres. His act was the first indication tliat the Americans purposed the tightening of their grip on local affairs. The regulations governing the press were formally made public, but those which apply to theatres were conveyed J verbally by the Chief Intelligence Department,. which also explained personally to the newspaper owners what was expected of them | The managers of all theatres, ranging i from moving picture shows to operas, | were informed that there" was no objection to their giving performances, except in were attempts were made to inject propaganda or criticisms, either direct or by innuendo. Not even apparently friendly comment, if it were otherwise undesirable, would bo tolerated

To newspaper owners it was pointed out that the question of whether they offended or not lay with them, and that the Americans would not bo 'bothered censoring publications (before they were issued, 'but the first six copieß from the press should be delivered to American headquarters. Meanwhile, the running ofT of the editions could continue, but if it were discovered that the regulations had been violated, prompt punitive actions would be certain.

The strictest regulations refer to disrespect shown to the annie 3 of occupation. comments apj-nst the Allies, and i making comparisons between commanders.