As a topflight U.S. military analyst, the New York Times's Hanson W. Baldwin usually gets a cordial welcome at the Pentagon. But last week he got a rude surprise. When he tried to make appointments for talks with General Matthew Ridgway, Admiral Robert B. Carney, Lieut. General James Gavin and other high brass, he was turned down cold. Other Pentagon newsmen had similar experiences. An Army, Navy, Air Force Journal staffer asked for obituary material on a Marine brigadier general, did not get it until the handout was marked "reviewed and cleared" by a Navy captain.
The blackout at the Pentagon resulted...