The Press: Deterrent

In England, Parliament recently ordered all divorce trials hushed up (TIME, Dec. 27). Papers like the News of the World might no longer publish tales of immorality simply because they happened to come to court. Couples, no longer deterred by publicity, have rushed to divorce courts. But magistrates, appalled at such eagerness for separation, have used their discretion and published “prophylactic” details. Said the Hon. C. F. G. Masterman, historian, in London last week: “I wouldn’t trust such power of discretion to an arch-angel.”