The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-07-21

July 17.-The constant increasing
strictness of the censorship of press
dispatches from Manila, which has pre-
vented the cabling to the United States
OF any that did not reflect official views
of important events and conditions re-
suited in a united effort IN the part OF
correspondents here to secure an abate-
ment Of the rigor of censorship. The
Initiative in this direction was taken a
month ago, and resulted in the framing
kOf a statement which was presented
on Sunday, July 9th, to Major General
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 their re-
spective newspapers all facts and the
different phases of event as they trans
pired here. The correspondents had
two long interviews withGeneral Otis in
the course of which they explained 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
affairs here. 1t was also asserted by the
correspondents that newspapers print
ed in Manila, which reach the enemy
quickly are permitted to publish state
ments similar to those which CORE
spondents are forbidden to cable. 1t
was made clear to General Otis that the
objection was to the system and not
to the censor.
The general finally promised great
liberality, agreeig 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 STATEMENT.
1.-The undersigned, being all staff cor
respondents of American newspapers
stationed at Manila, unite in the fol-
lowing statement:
I'VE believe that, owing to the Off
.cial dispatches from Manila made. pub
lie in Washington, the people of the
United States have not received a cor
rect impression of the situation in the
Philippine islands, but hat these dis
patches have presented an ultra-opti-
mistic view that is mo- shared by the
general officers in the field.
1--WE belive the dispatches incorrect
ly represent the existing conditions
o~,nro +ho Dh;Ji1pipoc in roc11ont tN
dissension and decentralization resulting
from the American campaign and to
the brigand character of their army.
1--WE belive the dispatches err in the
declaration that the situation is we'll
in hand and in the assumption that
the insurrection can be speedily ended
without a greatly increased force.
1--WE think the tenacity of the Phil
ippino purpose has been underestimate
ed and that the statements are I'M
founded that volunteers are willing to
engage in further service.
1.-The censorship has compelled us
10 participate in this Misrepresentation
by exercising or altering uncontrovert-
ed statements Of facts, on the plea, as
General Otis stated, that they would
alarm the people at home or
the president Of the United States by
che ears
Specifications: Prohibition of hos
pital reports; Suppression Of full reports
of field operations in the events Of fail
ure; numbers of heat prostrations
in the field; systematic intimidation
of naval operations, and Suppression Of
complete reports of the situation"
JOHN T. M'CUTCHEON,
HARRY ARMSTRONG,
Chicago Record.
OSCAR X. DAVIS
P. G. M'DONNEL,
New York Sun.
ROBERT M. COLLINS,
J. P. DUNNING,
L. P. JONES,
The Associated Press.
JOHN F. BASS,
WILL DINWIDDIE,
New York Herald.
E. S. KEENE,
Scripps-M'Rae Association.
RICHARD LITTLE,
Chicago Tribune.
CAUSES A SENSATION.
Washington, July 1.-THE publica-
Ation Of the war correspondents formal
of Genedal Otis manage
ment Of the Philippine campaign"
caused a sensation in the departments
here. Secretary Hay has received adj
vices today from civil, as well as mil
itary sources in the Philippines which
led him to declare that the situation
there was certainly improving materi-
ally and that the prospects for the fu-
ture had frightened very much. With
these advices, the secretary said Gen