The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-16
From the New York Times.


FLEET.
From the New York Times.
When the present revolution against
Spain began in Cuba three years ago
public interest in the United states was
instantly aroused. The Associated
Press, through it's admirable organiza-
tion, and individual papers through
their own efforts, have constantly kept
the public informed of the progress OF
events. Intelligent opinion based upon
exact facts has thus kept abreast of
every development in Cuba, and every
result therefrom both in this country
and in Spain. One of the strongest
features of national life in the United
States today is the fact that its people
In every community, in every state and
territory. know the same facts at the
same time, and have been, therefore, in
constant and intelligent touch with
whatever was done by the national
executive and the national legislature.
Public opinion throughout, being based
upon the same facts, concurrently
known, has been intelligent, strong,
and useful at each stage and develop
ment leading up to the presnt condi-
tions of war
The present revolution in Cuba be-
gan in February, three years ago.
Within a week thereafter the Associat-
ed Press sent to Cuba Frank w. Mack,
now superintendent of the eastern di
vision of that organization, to arrange
for the supply of reliable news of the
revolution. AT Havana he secured the
services of a newspaper man who had
served in the United States through
the civil war in Company A, Eighth
Massachusetts Volunteers, and also in
Company L, Fourth regiment, Massa
chusetts cavalry. This man, who is
still in Havana today, wears his army
corps badge as one of his proudest
decorations. He was commissioned at
the outset to furnish to the Associated
Press and so to the newspapers of the
United States record of hard fact
and exact occurrences. This, up to
the present time, he has done, and his
peculiar power of resource was made
most evident perhaps, when two years
ago last December he daily sent, under
the eyes of the censor. information to
the Associated Press of the sweep of
Gomez and his troops from Puerto
Principe through the provinces of San
upon the borders of Havana city itself.
1nasmuch as all cable communication
with Havana centers in New York, the
immediate direction of news plans for
the Associated Press We're intrusted by
Mr.. Melville L. Stone, general manager
of the Associated Press, to Colonel
Charles S. Diehl, assistant general
manager, whose headquarters are in
this city. The delegation of such re-
sponsibilities by chief of such expert
ence and resource is possibly as high
commendation as could be given to
Colonel Diehl who himself, prior to
his advancement in the Associated
Press, and during the Custer and sub
sequent Indian campaigns, earned his
first journalistic spurs as a war cor
respondent.
PLANNING FOR THE CAMPAIGN.
When the North Atlantic squadron
appeared off Key West in connection
with the other events occurring in the
diplomatic world, it was felt by the
Associated Press that grave compli-
cations were in store, and that the
conduct of this great news service in
the near future would require most
careful and prudent attention. The
prime object of this great organization
is TO secure facts. 1t lies also within
Its functions to supply collateral cir
cumstances and contributory phases
which may so inform the public as to
make possible a clear knowledge of the
relation Of things. 1t was appreciated
that the nation was about to enter a
diplomatic field of grave possibilities,
and while it's first obligation was to
It's members, the newspapers of the
United States, the Associated Press
none the less realized that its great
power must be carefully and wisely di-
rested In order that neither national
complication nor embarrassment
should result from any course it might
pursue.
Through the careful organization of
Its Washington bureau, under Mr..
Charles a. Boynton, superintendent Of
the Southern division, all facts neces-
sary to the public have reached the
people promptly. fully, and in dction
which measures We'll. by the standards
of highest literature. Through this
channel the public have been constant
ly close to the chief executive, to his
counselors, to congress, and to all
heads of departments. Facts of grav-
est moment have been known to the
Associated Press at times long in ad-
vance of publication, and condolences
have been maintained because they
were respected Thus II was that
when the Associated Press sent forth
In advance the finding of the court of
inquiry upon the Maine explosion the
press of the United States and the
readers thereof were freed of all doubt
and settled upon statements made as
being those of exact fact.
The appearance of the De LONE let
ter convinced the executives of the As
ISOLATED Press that a time had ar
rived in which men must be assigned
TO far-away stations to gather and
transmit news which might develop
as result of conclusions which were
even then felt to be inevitable. On the
second day after the publication OF this
tnSs.sxssxNskosssnaSulsn.-Ss .-Ssaxs