The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-08-02
THE PHILIPPINE SITUATION
Newspaper Men Complain of the
Censorship at Manila
They Specify Suppression OF Defeats, Un-
dersstimation OF FillpinoS Tenactty
OF Purpose and American Losses.

MANILA, via Hongkong (By Cable).-The
constantly increasing strictness OF the
censorship of the press dispatches from
Manila, which has prevented the cabling
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 secure an abatement OF the rigor OF the
censorship.
The initiative in this direction was taken
q month ago, and resulted In the framing
of a statement, which was presented to
Major General Elwelt s. Otis, commanding
the military forces OF the United States IN
the Philippine Islands, with q request for
permission to telegraph 1t to the United
States. The correspondents also asked that
they be allowed to cable to their respective
papers all facts and the different phases OF
events as they transplred here.
The correspondents had two long inter.
views with General. Otis. In the course OF
which they complained. that the evldent
purpose of the censorship was, not to keep
information from the enemy, but to keep
from the public knowledge OF the real
condition OF affairs here. It was also as
serted by the correspondents that news
papers printed in Manila, which reach the
enemy quickly, are permitted to publish
statements similar to those which corre-
spondents are forbidden to cable. It was
made clear to General Otis that the objec-
tion was to the system, and not to the cen.
sor.
General Otis finally promised greater lib.
erallty. agreeing to pass all matter that he
might consider not detrimental to the IN.
terests OF the United States.
General Otis appointed Captain Green Of
his staff censor.
The statement OF tho correspondents is
as follows:
"Ths undersigned being all the staff cor.
respondents OF American newspapers sta.
toned In Manila, unite in the following
statement:
ave believe that, owing to official dis
patches from Manila made public in Wasi-
ington, the people OF the United States
ha,e not received correct impression OF
the situation In the Philippines, but that
these dispatches have presented an ultra.
optimistic view that is not shared by the
general officers In the field.
"We believe the dispatches incorrectly
represent the existing condition among
the Filipinos In respect to internal dissen'
sion and decentralization resulting from
the American campaign and to the brigand
character OF their army.
"We believe the dispatches err In the dec-
laration that The situation is we'll In hand,
and In the assumption that the tnsurrec-
tion can be speedily ended without great
ly increased force.
"We think the. tenacity Of the Filipino
purpose has been underestlmated, and that
the statements are unfounded that volun.
teers are willin~ engage In further ser'
vice.
"The censorship has compelled US to par
ticipate In this Misrepresentation by e1cis
ing or altering uncontroverted statements
OF facts OF the plea, as General Otis stated
that they would alarm the people at home,
or have the people OF the United States oy
the ears
Specifications: Prohibition of hcspita
reports; suppression OF full reports OF felt
operations In the event OF failure; numtsrs
of heat prostration In the field; systematic
intimidation Of naval operations, and sup
preston Of complete reports OF the sltua'
tlon.
"John T. McCutcheon, Harry Armstrong
Chicago Record.
"osear K. Davis, P. G. Mod onnell, New
York Sun. '..'
"Robert NJ. Collins, John P. Dunning, L
Jones, the Associated Press.
"John F. Bass, Will D !nwiddte, New Yors
Herald. =.
"E. D. skeene, scripps-McRas Associs
tion.
"Rlchard Little. Chicago Tribune"