Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1899-07-19
THE CENSORSHIP IN MANILA.
BY THE AMERICAN REPORTERS.
1t IL Very strict--United Effort of the
Correspondents Had Effect-They Had
Interviews with OF s-he Promised
Them Greater Liberty.

Manila, July l9.-The constantly in
creasing strietness OF censorship of press
dispatches, which has prevented the cab.
ling to the United States of anything that
did not reflect official views of important
events and conditions, resulted in united
effort on the part of correspondents here
to stir an abatement Of the rigors OF
censorship.
The initiative in this direction was tax.
en- a month ago and resulted in the form.
ing of statement which was presented
on Sunday, July 8, to Major General Otis,
commanding the military forces of the
United States. The correspondents also
asked for permission to cable their papers
all the facts and different phases of events
as they transpired here.
The correspondents had two long inter
views with Otis, in the course of which
they claimed that the evident purpose of
the censorship was not to keep informa.
tion from the enemy, but to keep from the
public the 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 week.
ly, are permitted to publish statements
similar to those which the correspondents
are forbidden to cable
General Otis finally promised greater
liberality, agreeing to pass all matter that
he might consider not detrimental to the
interests Of the United States. He ap.
pointed Captain Green of his staff as
censor.
The Statement.
The statement Of the correspondents is
as follows:
"The undersigned, being all the staff cor
respondents Of American newspapers sta
toned in Manila, unite in the following
statement:
ave believe that from official dispatches
made public in Washington the people of
the United States have not received a cor
rect impression Of conditions in the Phil.
ippines, but these dispatches have pre-
sented an ultra-optimistic view that is
not shared by the general officers in the
field.
"We believe that the dispatches incor-
rectly represent existing conditions among
the Filipinos in respect to their dissension
and generalization resulting from the
American campaign and to the brigand
character Of their army.
1--WE believe the dispatches err in the
declaration that the situation is well IN
hand and the assumption that the insur-
rection can be speedily ended without
greatly increased forces.
"We think the tenacity Of Filipino pur-
pose has been underestimated and that the
statements are unfounded that volunteers
are unwilling to engage in further service.
'The censorship has compelled us TO par
ticipate in this Misrepresentation by ex-
cising or altering uncontroverted state
ments OF facts on the plea that they would
alarm the people at home.
Specifications: The prohibition Of re.
ports; the suppression Of full reports OF
field operations in the event Of failure the
number Of heat prostrations In the field !;
the systematic intimidation Of naval op-
erations, and the suppression Of complete
reports Of the situation.
"John T. McCutchean and Harry Arm
strong, Chicago Record.
"Oscar X. Davis and p. G. Mcdonnell,
New York Sun.
Robert M. Collins, John p. Dunning
and c. L. Jones, the Associated Press.
"Ed. Keene, Scrpps McRae Associa-
tion.
"Reinhard Little, Chicago Tribune"