Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1899-07-18
KICK ON CENSORSHIP.
Newspaper Correspondents at Manila
Plead With Otis.
A CHANGE WANTED.
They Claim the Truth Il Not Told Of
the Events In the Philippines
10 the People Of the
United States.

Manila, July II, via Hong Kong. July
1.-THE constantly increasing strict
ness Of censorship ON press dispatches
from Manila, which have prevented the
cabling 10 the United States Of anything
that did not reflect the official views OF
important events, this condition has re-
suited in an united effort ON the part
Of correspondents here 10 secure an
abatement Of the rigor Of censorship.
The initiative IN this direction was tax
en- a month ago and resulted in the FRAN
ing Of a statement which was presented
on Sunday. July o, TO Major General
Otis. commanding the military forces
Of the United States in the Philippine
islands. with the request Of permission TO
telegraphit to the United States The cor
respondents ask that they be allowed to
cable their respective papers all the
facts and different phases Of events as
they transpired here. Correspondents
had two long interviews with General
Otis In the course Of which they com
planned Of the evident purpose Of cen
sorship was not 10 keep information
from the enemy, but to keep from the
public knowledge Of the real condition OF
affairs here. IL was also asserted by the
correspondents Of newspapers printed in
Manila. which reach the enemy quickly
that they were permitted 10 publish
statements similar 10 those which the
correspondents were forbidden to cable.
II was made clear 10 General Otis that
the objection was 10 system, not TO CEN
sor. General Otis finally promised a
greater liberAlity agreeing TO pass all
matter that he might consider not de-
trimentral to the United States Gen
eral Otis appointed Captain Green, Of
his staff, the censor. The statement Of
the correspondents Is a. follows,
The undersigned. being all staff COR
respondents Of American newspapers
stationed In Manila, unite on the fol-
lowing statement
I'VE believe that owing 10 official
dispatches from Manila, made public at
Washington, the people Of the United
States have not received correct i'm
presaions Of the situation in the Philip
pines, but that these dispatches have
presented an ultra optomistic view that
il not shared by the general officers in
the field.
I'VE believe the dispatches incor'
rectly represent the existing conditions
among the Philippines in respect u
dissension and Generalization resulting
from the American campaign, and 4
the brigand character Of their arms.
I'VE believe the dispatches are in thu
declaration that the situation Is well II
hand and assumption that the Insured
ton can be speedily ended withou
increased force,
I'VE think the tenacity Of the Filipi
nos purpose has been underestimate
and that the statements are unfounde'
that volunteers are willing 10 engage Il
further service The censorship Ia
compelled US TO participate in this mis-
representation by excising or alterinI
unconhoverted statements of facts o.
the plea. a. General Otis stated. tina
they would alarm the people at home.
The specifications are; Prohibiting O
reports. suppression Of full reports an
operations In the event Of failure; mum
bers Of heat prostrations In the field; IN
systematic intimidation Of naval oper
atoms and the suppression Of complet
reports Of the situation
The protest is signed by John T. No
Cutcheon and Harry Armstrong Of IN
Chicago Record, Oscar X. Davis and /
q. Mcdonnell Of the New York Sun
Robert NJ Collins, John p, Dunnin
and Jones Of the Associated Pres
John +. Bass and William Dinwidd
Of the New York Herald. Edward
Keene, Of the scripps-Mcrae associI
ton and Richard Little, Of the Chioag
Tribune.