SPIES' CABLE CODES.

North Otago Times, Volume CVI, Issue 13975, 11 September 1917, Page 7

SPIES' CABLE CODES.

LORD NOIfTHCLIFFE ON CENSOR'S DIFFICULTIES.

Lord Northcliffe, in a statement to j the Washington correspondent of tli« United Press, explained the'working of the British Ceuuorship, and added:— The cable censorahip of private and' commercial cables presents the great" cat difficulty. It would-bo easy for a well-informcdlpy to cable to a neutral country a few domestic or busiuces phrases conveying news of priceless, value to the enemy. Spies who have: been caught, tried, and shot in England have usually been found in possession of what appear to be business, codes. In one case I remember a spy and .his accomplice posed as .travelling salesmen in Dutch cigars. Various brands of cigars represented .certain kinds of ships. People are much too prono to consider tho newspaper leak, which is open to all eyes, and not to consider tho private cablo leak, which is the really deadly one. Power to open nil overseas mail, such as is possessed by the British Government, is also essential.

Democracies are entitled to the fullest news of their soldiers and sailors.. The war correspondent is no'.longcr. regarded as a nuisance, as in the early days of the struggle; he' is looked upon ns a valuable ally, 'and .is.trusted by the British and French armies. Wo have found.that the more news the fewer the ugly rumours. Press' comment is. invaluable.to democratic Governments, The recent struggle for the re-establish-ment of a free Tress to Great Britain has restored liberty of expression to patriotic'writers. The systematic pub-, licatiou of news, good or bad, is n means of giving confidence to the Governments of democracies.