The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-07-18
CENSORSHIP IN PHILIPPINES
DEMO UNCED BY THE CORNERSTONE
DENTS At MANILA.

Vigorous Representations to Gen. Otis
Assertion that Readers In the Unite,
states Are MisIed by Off ial Despatche
Filipino Conditions, Intent, nn,
Tenacity Disappointed.
Manila, July II, via Hong Kong, july
17.-The constantly increasing strict
ness of the censorship of press dispatch
es from Manila, which has prevented
the cabling to the United States of any
thing that did not reflect official views
of important events and conditions, re-
suited in a united effort on the part OF
correspondents here to secure an abate-
ment of the rigor of the censorship
The initiative in this direction was TAX
en- a month ago, and resulted in the
framing Of statement, which was pre-
scented on Sunday July 8, to Major Cen
eral ElWell S. Otis, commanding the
military forces of the United States in
the Philippine Islands, with a request
for permission to telegraph it to the
United States. The correspondents also
asked that they be allowed to cable to
their respective papers all facts and the
different phases of events as they trans
pired here.
The correspondents had two long in
terviews with General 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 public a
knowledge of the real condition of at
fairs here. 1t was also asserted by the
correspondents that newspapers printed
in Manila, which reach the enemy
quickly, are permitted to publish state
ments similar to those which correspon-
dents are forbidden to cable. 1t was
made clear to General Otis that the OBJ
lection was to the system, and not to
the censor.
General Otis finally promised greater
liberality, agreeing to pass all matter
that he might consider not detrimental
to the interests Of the United States.
General Otis appointed Captain Green
Of his staff censor.
The statement of the correspondents
Is as follows:
"The undersigned, being all staff cor
respondents of American newspapers,
stationed in Manila, unite in the follow
ing statement:
1--WE believe that, owing to official dis
patches from Manila made public in
Washington, the people of the United
States have not received a correct i'm
preston of the situation in the Philip
pines, but that these dispatches have
presented an ultra optimistic view that
is not shared by the general officers in
the field.
1--WE believe the dispatches incorrect
ly represent the existing conditions
among the Filpinos in respect to inter-
nal dissension and Generalization re-
sulting 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 in the assumption
that the instruction can be speedily
ended without a greatly increased force.
We think the tenacity Of the Filipino
purpose has been underestimate, and
that the statements are unfounded that
volunteers are willing to engage in fur
Their service.
1.-THE censorship has compelled us to
participate in this misrepresentation by
excising or altering uncontroverted
statements of facts, on the plea, as
General Otis stated, that they would
alarm the people at home or have |
the people of the United States by the |
ears |
specifications: Prohibition of re-
ports; suppression of full reports OF |
field operations in the event of failure;
numbers of heat prostration in the field; !
systematic intimidation of naval oper-
atoms, and suppression Of complete re-
ports of the situation.
John T. McCutcheon, Harry Arm
strong, Chicago Record.
oscar K. Davis, P. G. Mcdonnell,
New York Sun.
Robert M. Collins, John P Dunning,
). Jones, the Associated Press.
"John F. Bass, Will Dinwiddle, New
York Herald.
"E. D. Skeene, Scripps- McRae asso-
,iation."
Richard Little, Chicago Tribune"