REPINGTON'S DISCLOSURES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 46, 22 February 1918, Page 5

REPINGTON'S DISCLOSURES.

FINES OF £100 HJIXICTED, A PATRIOTIC DUTY. -. (Received 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, Fchmary 21. Mr Howell G-wynne (editor of the "Morning Post" and Colonel Repington (military correspondent of that paper), charged at the Bow Street Court, under the Defence of the Realm Act, with publishing information respecting proposed plans and the conduct of military operations on the western front, were each fined £100 and costs. Defending counsel protested against the Crown basing the case on the publication of Colonel Repington's article without permission, whereas the Crown should have tried to prove that the article assisted the enemy. Counsel argued that there was no proof that the article was damaging to national interests, and added that no patriotic editor would ignore the censor's warning if convinced that national interests were likely to be injured, but Mr Gwynne considered it his patriotic duty to inform the public what was happenening at Versailles. Counsel submitted extracts from German newspapers to show" that the enemy was aware of the Versailles decision respecting reserves. Notice of appeal was given.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)