WHEN the Press Bureau began its work, its operations appeared to
us so capricious and arbitrary that self-respecting newspapers were
disposed to be restive. Now, however, that it intends to carry out
its functions on rigorous lines, exercising a real, vigilant and
impartial censorship, everyone feels that its authority must by all
means be supported. Those who subscribe to their parish magazines
have been charmed with the delightful letters that have appeared in
them from men engaged in the war. Some of the very best of
war-letters have found their way into the hands of parish magazine
editors, and the reason of their exceptional merit was that they
had escaped the scrutiny of the official censor. We fear, however,
that this kind of thing will have to cease. The Press Bureau will
sanction no further infringement of the rules which it is obliged
to make in the interest of the public safety. It cannot afford to
ignore the indiscretions of letter-writers at the Front, and we
suggest that local editors will be wise if they take the hint
carefully to edit everything they intend to publish. If they do
not, the consequences may be unpleasant.
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