IN BRITAIN. THE CENSORSHIP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8270, 15 October 1915, Page 6

IN BRITAIN.

THE CENSORSHIP.

. CHORUS Of! CONDEMNATION: . October 13: The censorship is* condemned everywhere. The newspapers are demanding that the-public-be told the truth. The "Pall Mall-Gazette" says .that, the censorship^ stands convicted of gross deficiency in intelligence, and is dastroying': the confidence of the country.' ':'. • : ,-'. . . • The "Globe" urges Lord Selborne to resign his seat in. the Cabinet and conduct a campaign against, the censorship. : ..:' • )■'./ .-•■'■ . The "Evening News"• says: "It is the nation's and not tile ■ censor's war. Does the Government want- to keep the cpnsorship and lose the. war?" A leading article in the "Daily Mail" says that the spectacle of Lord Selborne reproving the censor and Sir John Simon defending it—both being members of the Cabinet^- would _ seem humorous if tragedies did not lie behind it. As at managed, the censorship, .is apparently designed to prevent bad news from France and the Dardanelles reaching Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, but the facts will soon be known, because .of the wounded talking. Mr Frederic 'Harrison,, in a letter on conscription,.. says 'that the. militarisation of the human and economic en«rgies of the Empire remain Britain's only safety. The Balkans form a new area of warfare where decisions may be expected. The Germans, like Napoleon, hope to strike us in a vulnerable spot. Only the Press can save us. It is the duty of the responsible Press to take the censorship into its own hands and explain the situation without stint or fear. The spirit of Britain will respond to the call. Sir John Simon, in a letter upon the censorship, replies to complaints about the Press Bureau. He says that it is not the author of the policy which is pursued, but is merely the instrument for the carrying out of instructions. He gives instances where excisions complained of were made in France, and not in London.