The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-20
A fragrant Specimen OF False Jour-
nulism.


One Of the greatest nuisanccs from which
society now suffers is the ignorant and
careless newspaper. Men disqualified NOR
ally and intellectually to render just and
sober judgment on questions OF great ma
tional and international Importance are per-
mitted to commit newspapers to tho ex-
preston OF critical opinions upon such sub
jects on the basis OF II state Of facts which Is
insupportable by evidence and exists solely
in their loose imaginations.
A notable example OF such newspaper
Is the London Times, more particularly in
its treatment of American questions and
fragrant instance of its ignorance and per-
version is afforded specifically in one OF its
recent leaders, having reference to our late
war with Spain and the present situation in
the Philippines. Here ia an extract from
that article, the assertions of which we cut
up into paragraphs:
"ALGER has run the War once as q political ma
chine. Military posts have been bestowed upon po-
litca friends without regard to fitness or the inter-
ests OF the country.
Dishonesty and corruption have been rampant
wherever there was public money TO be handled.
American soldiers were killed by thousands on
American soil by such agencies as emhalm ed beef
and scandalous neglect of elementary sanitation.
AS the head is 80 we expect subordinates to be.
They were chosen without regard to fitness but
with every regard to political service. Naturally.
they act the politicians they are rather than az
soldiers and Administrators which they are not.
What evidence has the London Times
and what evidence can be produced that
"ALGER has run tho War Office as a polit-
zeal machine? There is no more evidence
to that effect than that the British War
Office was thus run in the Kitchener CAM
paign in Africa Nothing of the sort has
been produced in this country or in Eng
land. The evidence is all the other way.
Neither the LonGon Times nor any other
paper can point to u single instance in sup
port OF its allegation that military posts
have been bestowed on political friends
without regard to fitness or the interests of
the country"
Dishonesty and corruption, it asserts,
have been rampant wherever there WAS
public money to be handled" What single
instance can the London Times or any other
journal cite to sustain this accusation
Not one has been brought out by the most
violent assailants OF the conduct of our war
with Spain or the war in the Philippines
Nothing pointing that way or justifying
the shadow Of a suspicion Of the sort has
been adduced. The volunteer investigation
by the Presidents Commission, extending
over months and reaching every depart
mcnt of the army and the military admin
istration discovered no trace of corruption
The Court Of Inquiry by army officers was
extensive also and thorough and Of I'M
Ia,
esty and corruption appeared in any quar-
ter. The accusation Of the London Times
Is utterly baseless. and no paper whose
Judgment is deserving Of any respect would
have made it in the absence Of tho slightest
corroborative evidence. 1t is gross libel
on the American people.
The allegation Of 'enbalmed beef" was
investigated patiently and thoroughly by
the military Court Of Inquiry, and was dis
missed by it as unsupported by evidence
"Scandalous neglect OF elementary SANTA
ton" cannot be chargcable against the con-
duct OF an army in war in which the death
rate among the troops WAS uuprecedent-
eddy low in the history OF war. The exact
facts as to the matter were obtainabe by
tho London Times and if it had been an
honest paper and its judgment entitled to
respect it would not hay" expressed an
opinion on the subject without obtaining
this easily accessible information.
The subordInates,' says the London
Times, were chosen without regard to fit
ness. but with every regard to political SER
vice." and naturally they act rs the poll
ticians they are rather than as soldiers and
administrators, which they are not" What
subOrdinates were so chosen and whore
and how did they show such deficiency
The war with Spain was concluded in three
months only after an uninterrupted sr!,-
cess on OI victories on sua aHd un land
wthuut the loss of a gun, Il ship, II stand
ard, or prisoner and with Il loss Of life
unprcccdcntcdly small considering the mag
nitude of the contest. LII all English history
where Is there the parallel to such tr-
umph2 What American General or other
officer OF rank failed in ability to perform
his duty and where? Whore in English
history are there adducibiG any examples
of more capable administrators than are
the American utllrcr' selected tor he gov
eminent in t.urtrrgtur,rs "ouIIrrr hy lis?
T." Wal in IT, phi.rp!u'7 against the
AEuina.Io Instruction has been conducted
vita a skill HIld Gal,antryuf which Brush
arms in tho East have never afforded Il
more brilliant illustration.
The Loudpl Times has simply put itself