The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-26
News and Fakes.

n inning to put its readers on
n guard, the Standard gave warn
ing the other day that the air
would presently he filled with rumors of
every sort, that those who are wise will
look to the sources of information when
sensational stories are set running, and
that. IL the war lasts very long, ten
thousand lies, for which there is no
shadow Of foundation, will reach the
public and help 10 create an artifi-
cial excitement.
Already these war lies are current
yesterday brought plenty of them. The
wonder is where they get their start
and how they manage to reach a large
public in an incredibly short time. Yes
terday, this style of gossip had it that
Havana was under heavy lombard
ment. Another report was that Secre-
tary Alger had resigned. Another re-
port was that the New York had been
blown up off the harbor of Havana.
Another report had given Roosevelt,
who Is to be a lieutenant colonel of
cowboys, "A commission as brlgadier
! general. RuOtntI 1tp'lt hdu u u
gon heard from. These all We're fakes.
Not one of these cheap lies found a
place yesterday on any of the Stand
ards bulletin boards. And there's a
curious feature about this bulletin serv-
ice. The crowds that gather in front Of
the boards invariably include a per-
centage Of people who get fairly out of
patience because something sensational
isn't constantly flashed before their
eyes. They appear to crave something
startling. We believe these looms
would actually relish 1t IL, after the
clock strikes the even hours, for in
stance. the standard would post a lot
of fake stuff and then. after each odd
hour. post up denials of it all.
OF course, highly significant news is
liable To reach the public at almost any
instant. But they are foolish people
who accept every street rumor or who
help to spread reports for which au-
tbority is lacking. The associated press
service is painstaking; the Standard
special Washington service pays the
strictest regard to the trustworthiness
of every word that is sent. What Is
posted on this newspapers bulletin
boards is a good deal more prompt than
any other service of the sort in Mon
tana, but. especially, ii has the merit
of being reliable; ard it doesn't occur
TO this office to placard a lot of fairy
tales for the diversion OF a few fooi'
who want a good deal more war OF
Montana bill boards than there &C
/, tually is In the harbor of Havana
, These are the people who will be rant
, ing by and by because the administra
ton doesn't free Cuba over night an'
end the war i'm a few minutes.
In fact. there was significant news ii
Yesterdays quota and much OF it'll
, important bill for naval appropriations
the arrangements for rle final call fo
. volunteers. the practical completion o
the army bill. the formal declaration d
II war. the conclusions reached regardin
/, the secretary of states office. Thes
a and many other items helped 20 max
up the history OF a day Of mighty i'm
a port. These are matters respectin
,e which they will keep themselves tho
i oughIy-well informed who mean To 70
n low the progress OF a war, which is lik'
~ to be a long one. step by step.
OF course. however, these items al
not the right kim Of material for tho:
who want to be fed on regular blooC
and-thunder stuff right along and VIII