The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-18
NEWS SUPPRESSED.
Censor at Manila Cut Out the Deplorable
Facfs.


Facts.
Manila, July IL, via Hong Kong, July
1a-Constantly increasing strictness of
the censorship of press dispatches
winch has prevented the cabling to the
United States of anything that did not
reHect ofncial views of important events
ana conditions resulted in united eff
Tort on the part of correspondents here
10 secure an abatement of the rigor of
censorship The initiative in this direc-
ton was taken a month ago and re-
suited in the formulation Of statement
which was presented on Sunday, July
y, to Major General Otis, commanding
the military forces of the Philippines,
with a request for permission to tele-
graph IT to the United States. The cor
respondents also asked for permission
70 caple their papers all facts and diff
ferent phases of events as they trans
pired here. The correspondents had
two long interviews with Otis, in the
course or which they claimed the evil
dent purpose of censorship was not to
Keep information 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 the newspapers printed in Manila
which reached the enemy weekly are
permitted to publish statements similar
TO those which the correspondents are
forbidden to cable. Otis finally prom
lsed greater liberality, agreeing to pass
all matter that he might consider not
detrimental to the interests of the
United States General Otis appointed
Captain Green of his staff censor.
The statement Of the correspondents
is as follows:
The undersigned being all staff cor
respondents of American newspapers
stationed in Manila, unite in the follow
ing statement:
We believe that from official dis
patches made public in Washington the
people of the United States have not
received correct impression of the
Philippines. but that these dispatches
have presented an ultra-optimistic
view that is not shared by the general
offlcers in the field. We believe that
the dispatches Incorrectly represent ex-
listing conditions among the Philippines
in respect to dissension and demoraliza-
ton resulting from the American cam
paign and to the brigand character of
their army. We believe the dispatches
err in the declaration that the situation
is well in hand, and the assumption
that the insurrection can be speedily
ended without a greatly increased
force. We think the tenacity of the
Filipino purpose has been underesti-
mated and that the statements are I'M
aooihSo thdt dTe WilllHS 10
engage in further service. Censorship
has compelled US to participate in this
misrepresentation by exercising or alt
ering the uncontroVerted statement of
facts on the plea, as General Otis
stated, that they would alarm the peo-
pie at home or have the people of the
United States by the ears
Specifications Prohibition of re-
ports; suppression; of full reports of field
operations in event of failure; numbers
of heat prostrations in field; systematic
intimidation of naval operations and
suppression of complete reports of sit
uation. (Signed).
JOHN T. MCUTCHEON,
HARRY ARMSTRONG,
Chicago Record.
OSCAR K. DAVIS,
"P. G. M'DONNELL
New York Sun.
ROBERT M. COLLINS,
JOHN P. DUNNING,
&C. l.. JONES,
Associated Press.
JOHN F. BASS,
WILL DINWIDDIE.
New York Herald
ED S. KEENE,
"Scripps-McRae Association.
"RINEHARD LITTLE,
Chicago Tribune"