STAYING NEUTRAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11510, 5 October 1915, Page 7

STAYING NEUTRAL

AMERICAN JOURNAL'S DIFFICULTY One of the hardest things for a newspaper to do is to remain neutral in this war. That is, to remain neutral. according to the standards set'up by its readers. Among every paper's readers are those favouring one side or the other. And as a rule their notions of neutrality are wonderful to behold. For instance, tho pro-Allied reader will be pleased to read 1 columns of arguments against tho Germans and makes no luck against tho paper I'oi' its lack.of neutrality. The pro-German is glad to road columns of argument against the Allien and does not think for a moment that the paper is not neutral. • But when the pro-Allied reader glimpses German argument he rises on his haunches in anger; when the pro- 5 German sees pro-Allied information he likewise becomes mentally irritated and wants to know why tho paper isn't neutral. Tho fact iSj tho average reader has a warped idea of what constitutes neutrality in the Press. Neutrality doel not mean that we should not print pro and con statements by responsible p©r-> sons, especially the opinions of think-" ers who* know what they are talking about. That is educative. A pro-Allied man should bo glad to read the statements of pro-German thinkers, and vice versa. Ho may not change his opinion, but ho will become more tolerant of the views of others and realise they are not all lunatics. For instance, if you are dead set against militarism, as you understand the term, it will do you good to reau what others think of navyism; if you don't like tho idea of one navy ruling the world, it will do you good to read what the other side thinks about mili-» tar ism. The giro and take attitude applies to opinions as well as it does to other things. And it's a mighty good system to adopt. You'll know more and rant less. —" La Forte (Indiana) Herald."