Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-07-20

I
important cablegrams have been re-
celyed at the state department from
rbe Philippine commission concerning
a new move in the direction of peace.
These dispatches have been in the
hands OF the president for several
DAYS but he has declined to make
them public because the ultra optimis
tic views heretofore received from the
same source have not been borne out
nv subsequent developments. The lat
est dispatches are most encouraging,
6Dt the president WISHES to have some
pOsitive results before making them
public. All that can be learned def
nitely is that oyertures have been made
by Aguinaldo and some of his leaders,
1t was said by cabinet official last
night that if the promises are fulfilled
the volunteers being enlisted will not
be needed"
Causes a Sensation.
Washington, July 1S.-The publica-
lion of the war reporters formal in
dictment of General Otis management
Of me Philippine campaign has caused
a sensation in the departments here.
Secretary Hay had received adyices as
late as Monday from civil as well as
military authorities in the Philippines
which led him to declare the situation
there improved materially and that the
prospects for the future had frightened
very much. With these adyices the
secretary said Gen. Otis had had moth
ing to do and they were from disinter-
ested persons whose opinions must
carry weight. There was strong dis
inclination exhibited by the officials to
discuss this last round robin" Gen
eral Miles, who is acting as secretary
OF war in the absence of Secretary AL
ger and Assistant Secretary Meikle
John, would not comment upon the dis
patch and Adjt General Corbin took
the same attitude.
President Mckinley received
telegram from San Francisco yesterday
day saying that the Oregon troops
were without overcoats and were suf-
fariug from the weather The dispatch
stated that the men, having just re-
turned from the tropics, cannot with
stand the cold, and that there are
plenty of oyercoats in the quarter
masters department. President Me
Kiuiey directed that such clothing as
is necessary for the comfort of the
troops be issued to them. 1t was stated
the war department that the matter
of clothing for the troops was at their
own disposal Each man is allowed
500 annually for clothing, and if he
does not use the whole amount he
draws the residue. The Oregon men
can draw upon this clothing credit if
they want to and get overcoats or
other things, but ii will be charged to
their clothing account and taken out of
the money paid them when they are
mustered out.
Reporters Round Robin
Manila, July II, via Hong Kong, July
1S-The constantly increasing strict
ness Of the censorship of press dis
patches form Manila, which has pre-
vented the cabling to the United States
of anything that did no reflect officials
views Of important events and condl-
tons. resulted in a united effort on the
part OF correspondents here to secure
al abatement Of the rigor OF the cen
s1rship. The initiative in this direc-
rl1n was taken a month ago and re-
suited in the framing Of a statement
which was presented on Sunday, july
@. 10 Gen Otis, with a request for per-
mission 10 telegraph it to the United
States. The correspondents also asked
THAT they be allowed TO cable TO their
respective papers all facts and the diff
fareut phases of events as they trans
Tred here.
The correspondents had two long in
-ary.eWs with Gen. Otis, in the course
a. which they complained that the evil
dent purpose of the censorship was not
.l keep information from the enemy
Na to keep from the public a knowl-
.ls of the real condition Of affairs
here /, was also asserted by the cor
rasD0ndents that newspapers printed in
Manila are permitted TO publish state
men-s similar to those which CORE
p2ndents are forbidden TO cable. II
Was made clear to Gen. Otis that the
objection was to the system and not to
'-n censor. Gen. Otis finally promised
greater Hberality, agreeing TO pass all
matter Ina, he might consider not de-
-lmeutal to the interests Of the United
N.a-es. Gen Otis appointed Capt
Green OF his staff censor.
The statement OF the correspondents
.s follows.
The undersigned, being all staff cor
poudents Of American newspapers,
.Jued in Manila, unite in the fol-
owing statement:
We believe that. owing TO official
-patehes from Manila made public in
Washington the people OF the United
states have not received correct inn
au % the situation in The Phil
"Hles hut that me dispatches have
u.al en- optimistic view
not shared by the general OF