New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-24


correspondents whom they propose for that pur-
pose. will be required to sign the following dec
laraton
"'........ have read the rules for the guidance
OF editors OF newspapers and Of correspondents
with an army in the field, and ........ hereby
a6ice to abide by the same.
Editor Of The. ......"
Proposed Correspondent to The. .....".."
to accompany the army. "
IN THE FRANCO-PRUssIAN WAR;
No foreign newspaper correspondent was per-
United to accompany the French armies In the
. Franco-Prussan War of 1870 Permission was
given to a certain number Of gentlemen con-
nected with the journals Of Paris to proceed 10
the various quarters occupied by the French
armies. but they were not allowed to give any
Information, and had to confine their letters
strictly to clarifying the achievements OF the
troops The result was that for part Of the war
the French nation was kept in ignorance OF the
disasters which hefc its armies The Ger
mans, the other hand. allowed newspaper
correspondents Of all countries TO accompany
its armies. and imposed no censorship upon
them The field post was placed at their service
for the conveyance OF letters to Belgium and
Germany. and thence to the various destinations
abroad The field telegraph was. as rule
blocked for newspaper messages by the pressure
OF army work. but whenever the lines were clear
the correspondents were at liberty to utilize
them in sending brief messages which had first
received official approval TO their newspapers.
Geographic dispatches from Offices in neutral
countries. or outside the zone Of military juris-
dlction. and therefore under no censorship But
il will be observed that the British regulations
give the press censor control over the orSaliZa-
tion Of special means Of communication by
correspondent outside the sphere Of military
authority and the power to prohibit altogether
the dispatch Of news 10y such agencies. If that
rule were imposed 10y the German war authori-
tics during the Franco German War. the in
satiahc appetite II the British public for news
from h.. h,. ~
been appcascd as ii frequently was by the pub
LEGATION Of vivid descriptions OF engagements
day or two after they had been fought Again,
In the Kusso-Turiish War. the Russians ac-
ccltcd every correspondent who presented Gre
dcntials from a respectable newspaper ana
recommendation from any Russian Ambassador
The permit to accompany the army was written
on the back OF photograph OF the correspond
cnt TO whom Il was granted; and duplicate Of
the photograph was kept in an album ut the
, Headquarters Of the army. Each corr spondc mt
was also supplied with a badge. hearing the
double eagles ~ Russia, TO wear on his breast
There was censorship In the sense thdt let
ters or kilograms had first 10 be submitted for
official approval: but n copy OF each newspaper
had to BE- sent to certain polyglot officer for
pcrusai. and he had power TO order the removal
OF any correspondent To the rear for indiscrc-
tons In description or criticism.
QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES.
War correspondence Is now regular branch
OF journalism There Is never any lack OF eager
claimants for admission to its ranks mon Of
daring. resource. and ability. Who are attracted
by the fascination Of W.. and by "A desire 10
play Il part. however humble. In the most AWFUL
grim and tragic drama enacted on III, human
stage Th,y are handsomely PAID for thclr ser
vices There Is 10 restriction on them in the
matter - expense. for the newspapers Al" only
too ready and willing to spend enormous sums
Il money for fresh and important news from the
scat II war. The chief qualifications for TINS
hard and adventurous He are physical strength.
the cndurarc. to subsst for days on a m"laTe
supply Of Inferior food and TO sleep AZ night IN
the open. IRON nerves and mental EIBor, Souni
sense and rapid judgment. quick. "bs"rvnnt
cy" capable ~ taking IN the ever shiftinF scenes
and changing incidents Of "A field Of battle. and
a ready. vivid pen 10 convey ones impressions
To- paper Thu war correspondent has often. in
the dis harEc OF his duty. To run as great FISK
e being killed or wounded as any soldier in
the fighting line II has fallen to him often. also,
b. to render "A great service To the army Whl'h ne
II accompanies In the field. recent libel action
between two VAR correspondents who went
through the SOudan campaign Of lS!6. attracted
considerable public notice. a charge OF cow
ardicc at The battle OF FHket was made by the
defendant against the plain;iU, winch happHN -
rs the result OF the action shOwcd-was com
plctcly dlsprov"d. But the defendant advanced
the cxtraordin Iry theory that 1t was the duty
Of a war Correspondent; to keep wei IN IN" 'front.'
In order to give good cNa;Hpl" or bravery 10
the firing line OF course. the first duty 81 Il
war correspondent is To look after the inter
ests OF his paper. and he could not do ms jour
nal Il greater dis-s"rvicc than 10 get Killed or
disc blcd in action when he might nave avoided
thai caia .trophc 10y the display Of a reasonable
prccaution The general in command could.
with as much reason. be accused OF coWatuI'e
f,r krrpng at such distance outside the me
OF fire as enabled nim, without running any I'M
. necessary risk TO observe the varying fortunes
Of the fight ANA control thu movements OF his
/ trnops The large number of war correspondents
who have been Killed In recent campaigns is
evidence OF the fact that these journalists carry
I I'm