Evening journal., 1898-06-27
CORREsPONpENrs Inn MAR

COfulNkSPONDENI IN WAR
In an article Michael MacDonagh an
swers in the Fortnightly Review the
question as to whether or not we can
rely on our war news. The subject is
one OF the gravest Importance to the
public, as we are just now involved IN
a network OF foreign complications. In
tracing the history OF war correspond
ents, Mr.. MacDonagh states that the
first war correspondent was Sir II.
Howard Russell. who represented the
Times In theCrimeanwar. UnrecOgnized
by the military authorities, his position
with the troops was attended by many
discomforts. He had, however, perfect
freedom Of action. The position OF the
war correspondent has since been en-
tirely changed. Freedom Of action has
now been curtailed, although the
change, as far as his personal comfort
Is concerned, is for the better.
Lord Wolseley has. since 1869, been
opposed to the presence in camp OF a
newspaper correspondent. Communica-
tions sent by him to his newspaper
would, in his lordship's belief, supply
the enemy with the means Of receiving
valuable information. Similar senti-
ments were held by other officers. This
consideration led the war office to pre-
pare a drastic code OF regulations re-
stricting the independence Of the jour
nalist in the field. Here is the eighth
rule in that code; "The press censor
may detain or alter the con
munication (from a correspondentD }
should he deem It injurious to the in
terests Of the army" The result OF
this rule has, according to Mr.. .Mac-
Donagh, been the development OF a
system Of mutilating press messages to
the extent, in some instances, Of entire
ly reversing the facts. He gives a case
in point that occurred in the recent
war between Turkey and Greece.
One correspondent wrote THE
crown prince rode this morning
through the streets Of Oomeko. un-
cheered" On reaching England the
message read that the crown prince
had been LOUDLY cheered." Mr.. Mac.
Donagh admits that it is perfectly le-
gitimate for the war office to check tht
publication Of matters injurious to ths
interests OF the army, but that is NJ
reason why expression should be giver
to a falsehood. The writer next pro
ceeds to deal with. the various othe
objections urged against the presenc
OF a journalist with an army in tn
field. He scouts the idea that hostil
criticisms OF the conduct Of the cam
paign might ehatter the confidence o
the soldiers in their leaders. 1t Is tn
talk about the campfres at night tina
brings about that condition OF affairs.
A proposal has recently been mao
that an officer on the retired list shoul
in future act as a war correspondent
but Mr.. MacDonagh proves not onl
the inexpediency but also the impracti
cability of such a policy. It would frus
trate the aim of newspapers from sc
curing the best man as their CORE
spondent. And a military correspond
ent would be unduly sympathetic wit
: his brother officer and be less indS
pendent than a civilian.
Last, but not least, past history show
that in every case the latter has score
in every campaign against military col
respondents in sending expeditiousl
from the field the kind Of news the pull
lie wants. in conclusion, Mr.. MacDor
, agh maintains that war correspondent
/ is now a regular branch, Of journalism
Amy attempt on the part OF the war o
fee to tamper with this branch (
/ work will not be tolerated by the pul
/ lie, which viii not be content wit
a cold, official reports published moDtl
after the event, but will insist ON har
ing early and independent accouIu
from the seat OF war.-Fornightly r
view.