The Monticellonian., 1899-07-21
CENSORSHIP AT MANILA.
The Correspondents Unite to Secure an Abatement of the Gen.
 Rigors.
LsTATtMtAT PRESENTED TO GEN. OTIS.
sorsbIp Is Not to Keep Infornsa- ton From the Enemy, Gut to Keep From the Public at Home a Knowledge of Real Conditions.

Knowledge of Real Conditions.
 Manila, July II, via Hong Kong. July 1.-The constantly increasing strietness of the censorship of press dispatches from Manila, which has prevented the cabling to the United States of anything that did not reflect official views of important events and conditions resulted in q united effort OH the part of correspondents here to secure an abatement of the rigor of the censorship.
 The Initiative Taken.
 The initiative in this direction was taken month ago, and resulted in the framing of statement which was presented, on Sunday, July 2, to Maj Gen. Otis. commanding the military fcrces of the United States in the Phil ippine islands, with q request fnr per mission 10 telegraph it to the Tinted States. The correspondents also asked that they be allowed 10 cable 10 their respective papers all facts and the diff ferent phases of events as they trans pired here.
 Two Long Interviews. The correspondents had two long interviews with Gen. Otis, in the course of which they complained that the evident purpose of the censorship was not to keep information from the enemy, but to keep from the p3hlic a knowledge of the real condition of af- fairs here. 1t was also asserted by the correspondents that newspapers print ed in Manila. which reach the enemy quickly. are permitted to publish statements similar to those which cor respondents are forbidden 10 cable It WAS made clear to Gen. Otis that the objection was to the system and not tG the censor
 Gen. otis Made Promises.
 Gen. Otis finally promised greater 1iberality. agreeing to pass all matter that he might consider not detrimen- tai to the interests of the United States. Gen. Otis appointed Capt. | Green, Of his staff. censor.
 The statement of the correspondent l. as follows:
 Correspondence stnfement.
 The undersigned being all steT cor bI ltslll lltA iltiS stationed i'll Manila, unite in the fol- lowing statement:
 Ne believe that, owing to official dis patches from Manila. made public in | Washington the people of the United | States have not received a correct iln- rression of the situation in the Phil | ippines. but that these dispatches have | presented an ultra optimistic view that is not shared by the general officers in the field.
 We believe that the dispatches incor- correctly represent the existing condi- tions among the Filipinos in respect to disscnsion and demoralizatCn result ing from the American campaign and to the brigand character of their army.
 We believe the dispatches err in the declaration that the "Situation is well in hand and the asusmption that the insurreetion can be speedily ended without q greatly increased force.
 Ne think the tenacity of the Filipi- no purpose has been underestimated, and that the statements are unfounded that volunteers are willing 10 engage in further service.
 Compelled to Misreprcsent.
 The censorship has compelled us to participate in this misrepresentation by excising or altering uncontrovert- ed statements of facts on the plea, as Gen. Otis stated, that They would alarm the people at homc," or Have the people of the United States hy the ears"
 specifications:
 Prohibition of reports; suppression of full reports of field operations in the event of failure; numbers of heat prostrations in the field; systematic minimi2ation of naval operations anc suppression of complete reports of tht situation.
 Isigned. JNO. T. MCUTCHEoN.
 nARRI ARMSTRONG,
 Chicago Record.