The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-17
YELLOW JoURHAnIsM.
Seovsls ana HTS School DiSlsotsd ~ the
Warrington Pohi.

hAAANMgAoM
washington Post: Sylvester scovel
has written 10 the New York World a
fun account OF his encounter with Cen
era9 Shafter at Santiago, as q result OK
which he was expelled from our mid
tary lines and lost his position on the
World. II his account Is true, the news
paper which employed him should see
to his immedInte reinstatement. II II -
not true the World should be denounced
for publishing It at all,
It is easy TO see, however, even when
we accept Scovel's version OF the atIalr
as strictly accurate, that General Shaf-
ter had abundant causes Of pToYocation.
The Cuban Instruction has given birth
to new ard sinister variety OF jour-
nalisnjEthe Journalism OF sensation OF
reckless exaggeration and unprincipled
partisanship Correspondent were IN q
large majority Of instances semi 70
Cuba not for the purpose OF stating tine
facts, but to bolster up theory: Their
business was to present the Cuban IN
surgents as heroes and martyrs, as mir
acles of valof and efficiency. They were
expected 10 represent the insurgent ar
mics as victorious everywhere, the
spaniards as being cocpet up IN httle
forts along the railroad lines. and the
republican government as practically in
possession OF the island. They were TO
create a public sentiment throughout
the country under the pressure or which
congress would be forced to recognize
Cuban independence.
We do not wonder that the correspon-
dents engaged in this untoward enter
prise began to eXaggerate their own I'M
portance when they saw how their &c.
tIvity was impresSing the American
people, and perceived that they hao
raised national issue. dividing con-
gress ard threatening the pence OF the,
executive mansion. Naturally they be-
came infiated,thought themselves epoch
makers and met nightly around a table
In the Ingiaterra cafe to decide upon
rev changes in the deStinies OF nations.
II Is easy to understand that, when our
fleets and armies moved on to Cuba,
these enthusiastic youths accompanied
them profoundly convinced that they
were the real oiginators Of the war and
fixed in the idea that 1t was their duty
and pTerogatlve to direct campaigns, 10
take prominent places In al theatrical
situations, and, generally, TO preside
over the entire tragedy. It was not so
unreasonable an assumption after all.
Men who had done so much to bring
about the invasion were surely justified
in expecting TO take prominent part IN
It's conduct ard arrangement.
1t Is easy to understand. however,
that our army and navy officers were
mot prepared to accept these correspon-
derts' Views Of the situation. They were
proceeding under legitimate auspices
and were making war according TO- pro-
fessiona9 regulations They did not rec
ognize the Havana correspondents as
their proper advisers and guides in.the
II. nd thai
General Shaftsr did not see fit to cali
Mr., Scovelito his military councils or to
soIicit his cooperation at any stage OF
the AFFAIR. It IS more than probable, on
the contrary, that he regarded volunE
teer advice and Intrusion on the part OF
special news gatherers with Impotence
and resentment, and that his temper
gave way under the stress OF persistent
inportunity ard impudence. From his
point Of view, Scovel was an Offender
when he insisted on breaking into
ceremony to which he had not been IN
yIted. and we can imagine that his
provocntion was greater than ne couId
bear with eQuanimity.
Nevertheless. although Scovel repre-
scented in General Skaters philosophy
the most odloug form OF Ro-called mod
eru Journalism, It will puzzle most
thouEhtful men to Justify the New York
world in its act OF Reputation and re-
buke. Scovel had at least done the
worlds work we'll and faithfully. He
had sent to his employers exactly the
Kind 6f news they wanted, He
brought his newspaper TO the attention
OF the people in exactly the way the
World prefers. He Offended Shnfter be-
yond endurance. and was suitably pun
ished in the end But wherein did he
fransgreEs the laws which bind that pa
per's representatives.? 1t seems to US
that scovel IL the victim rather than
the criminal in this affair. So creddtable
an alumnus should not have been dis
owned by the alma mater TO which he
has exhibited such loyal and Affection
ate allegiance. ---