The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-07-21
THE FACTS
SUPPRESSED.
Rigid Press Censorship at
Manila.
PROTEST FROM NEWSPAPER MEN.
Censored Dispatches Created AN Incor-
rect Impression of the Situation Ia the
Philippines-Gen. Otis Criticised.

MANILA, July IL, via Hong Kong,
July l7.-rhe constantly increasing
strictness of the censorship of press
dispatches from Manila, which has
prevented the cabling to the United
States of anything that did not re-
fleet official views of important
events and conditions, resulted in a
united effort on the part of cores.
pondents here to secure an abate-
ment of the censorship. The initia.
tive in this direction was taken a
month ago and resulted in the fram
ing of statement, which was pre-
sented on Sunday, July 8 to Maj.
Gen. Otis, commanding the military
forces of the United States in the
Philippine Islands, with 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 fac,s and
| the different phases of events as
they transpired here. The cores
pondents had two long intervie ws
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
public a knowledge of the real con-
dition of affairs here.
1t was also asserted by the cores
pondents that newspapers printed in
Manila, which reach the enemy
quickly, are permitted to publish h
statments similar to those which
correspondents are forbidden to
cable. 1t was made clear to Gen.
Otis that the objection was to the
system and not to the censor.
Gen. Otis finally promised greater
liberality, agreeing to pass all mat
ter that he might consider not det-
rimental to the interests of the
United States. Gen. Otis appointed
Capt. Green, of his staff, the censor.
The statement of the correspond
ents is as follows:
"The undersigned, being all staff cor
respondents of American newspapers
stationed in Manila, unite in the follow
ing statement:
ave believe that, owing to official dis
patches from Manila made public in
Washington, the people of the United
States have not received correct i'm
preston of the situation in the Philip
pines, but these dispatches have present
ed an ultra optimistic view that is not
shared by the general officers in the
field.
ave believe that the dispatches incor'
rectly represent the existing conditions
among the Philippines in respect to dis
sension and demorilzation resulting
from the American campaign and to the
brigand character of their army.
"We believe the dispatches err in the
declaration that the situation is wei
in hand and the assumption that the
insurgents can be speedily ended with
out a greatly increased force.
1--WE think the tenacity of the Filipino
purpose has been underestimated, anC
that the statements are unfounded tina
volunteers are willing to engage in fur
; ther service.
"The censorship has compelled us t.
participate in this Misrepresentation by
eXcisiDg or altering uncOntroverteC
! statements of facts on the plea, as Gen
Otis stated, that they would alarm thu
people at home or have the people o
the United States by the ears
specifications: Prohibition of hos
pital reports; suppression of fullreport
! of field operations in the event of fail
J ure; numbers of heat prostrations in th
, field systematic intimidation of nava
operations and suppression of oomplet
reports of the situation"