The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-14
boys from New Mexico are also to be
among them. Here's mixture for you!
A Free Press in Wnr.


Between the commander Of an army
or. navy and the press, there is a state
Of chronic antagonism. The. command
er's success may depend wholly upon
the suppression of news of his move
nlents; the correspondents success de-
ponds wholly upon his ability to get
and transmit that news. The command
er does not despise news if it is of the
right kind: if it informs him of the
enemy's movements. This the war cor
respondent is unable to supply Hence
there Is no point where they are in
touch and many where they are in con-
fict. The general or admiral never
knows how much the enemy knows of
his whereabouts or movements. knowl-
edge gained from the indiscreet revela-
lions of the news gatherer accompany
ing him. Nor is that worthy and use
full person the only one capable Of mis-
chief. The home office has it's gifted
strategistS, who, in the absence of spe-
cific facts, are competent to make more
or less accurate and always shrewd
guesses as to contemplated movements.
1t is hardly to be wondered at that
generals and commodores SILVER when
the war correspondent makes his APP
pearance. He is so full Of possibilities.
So far In this war the special has been
very active. He has been ably second
ed by the home office. If the Spaniard
should descend upon our coasts, he will
have been fully posted as to their de-
lenses, the forts and their ornaments,
the torpedoes and mines, and such
other data as will aid him in making
or avoiding an attack If any one in
this country is unaware of the strength
OF our navy or army, or it's movements,
it is because he does not read the daily
papers. All this has it's advantage to
the public, which, very naturally, wish
es to know all it can about every phase
Of the engrossing subject But it has
it's serious disadvantages, and it is al
ways question of the limits of free
dom of the press in getting and print
ing war news, or what it may dish up
for news. 1t has already been neces-
sary to establish mild censorship at
Key West, and. as the war progresses
and gets to be more serious business.
there will have to be further curtail-
ment of the privileges of the army cor
respondents.
we, are having now an illustration
OF the advantage of a strict censorship
or news and such control of the yehi-
Giles of news as to enable it to be made
an accessory to the strategist Spain
has established a rigorous control of
the news agencies. Nothing goes out
that is not approved. Madrid CORE
spondents have had to send their let
tiers by messenger to the French from
tier for mailing to escape the censor
The especial advantage of this control
to the art Of naval strategy is shown
In the movements of the Spanish fleet
OF Warships which rendeZvoused at the
Cape Verde islands. 1t was expected
on this side that the fleet would come
west to engage SIMPSONS fleet. Then
came a Madrid cable announcing the
arrival of the fleet at CadiZ There
was some display of headlines and ex-
ultant comment on this retreat, but,
While nothing was learned subsequent
ly that confirmed the report, it seemed
to harmonic with Sagasta's policy.
Now word comes from the Leeward
islands of the passing of this fleet 60
ing northward in the direction Of Por-
TO RICO or Cuba, evidently bent on
meeting our fleet. The secret of it's
movement was well preserved, and il
Illustrates the value, in times of war, Of
the denial of entire freedom of news
getting and publishing