Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-18
REMOVE THE CENSOR
Correspondents Kick Against
Gen. Ots's StIictness,
REAL PHILIPPINE SITUATION.
IT'S Much USIier Than II Has
Been Reported.
"BLUE-PENCILLEDv DISPATCHES.
Journalists Say They Are Far Too
Optimistic-Our People Being De-
"BLUE-PENCILLED" DISPATCHES.

MANILA, July II, via HONGKONG,
July 1.-THE constantly-increasing strict
ness OF tho censorship of press dispatch
es from Manila, which has prevented the
cabling 10 the United States OF anything
that did not reflect official views Of i'm
portant events and conditions resulted IN
united effort on the part OF correspond
ents here to secure an abatement OK the
rgor Of the censorship. The iuitatiye in
this direction was taken month ago,
ment which was presented on sunday
July 9Th, to Major-General Otis. COM
handing the military forces Of the United
states in the Philippine Islands, with
request for permission to telegraph It to
the United states
THEY INTERVIEWED GEN. OTIS
The correspondents also asked that they
be allowed to cable 10 their respective
papers all facts and the different phases
Of events as they transpired here. The
correspondents had two long interviews
with General Otis, in the course Of when
they complained that the evident PURPOSE
of the censorship was not to keep infor-
nation from the enemy. but to keep from
the public a knowledge Of the real coEdi-
ton of affairs 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 correspond
ents are forbidden TO cable.
1t was made clear 10 General Otis that
the objection was to the system, and not
to the censor.
PROMISED GREATER LIBERALITf.
General Otis finally promised greater
liberality. agreeing 10 pass all matter
that he might consider not detrimental
to IN. interests of the United States.
General Ous appointed Captain Green
Of his star. censor.
The statement of the correspondents Is
"The undersigned, being all STAFF cor
RESPONDENTS 0f American newspapers s-a-
toned at Manila, unite in the following
statement:
we believe that owing 10 official dis
patches from Manila. made pubic III
Washington, the people Of the United
States have not received a correct impress
sion of the situation I'm the philippines
but that these dispatches have presenter
an ultra-optimistic view that Is NOT
shared nv the general officers in the field.
Owe believe the dispatches incorrectly
represent the existing conditions among
i'm UtegHn-lNn
and decentralization resulting from the
American campaign and TO the brisan1
character Of their army.
SITUATION NOT WE'LL IN HAND"
I've believe the dispatches err in the
declaration that THE situation Is well IN
hand" and in the assumption that the
insurrection can be speedily ended WITH
out . greatly increased force.
We think the tenacity of the Filipino
purpose has been underestimate, ana
that the statements are unf0unded that
volunteers are willing 70 engage In iur-
Their service.
The censorship has compelled us 10
participate in this misrepresentation by
excising or altering uncontroverted
statements Of facts on the plea as Gene
raj Otis stated, that they would alarm
The people az home" or "have the people
of the United States by the ears"
Specifications: Prohibition Of hospi-
tai reports; suppression of full reports or
field operations I'm the event OF failure;
numbers of heat prostrations In the held;
systematic intimidation Of naval opera
lions. and suppression Of complete reports
of the situation.
(SigneD John r. McCutcheoh, Harry
Armstrong. Chicago Record; oscar X.
Davis and p. q. Mcdonnell. New York
Sun; Robert NJ. Collins, John =. Dun
ming. and H. Jones. the Associated
Press: John f. Bass and Will Dinwid-
die. New York Herald; T. ;. keene'
Scripps-McRea Associations Klchard
Little. Chicago Tribune.