Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-18

LEI b1 UNTRUE OPI1MlSIlC
REPORTS.
MANILA, July II, via. Hong Kong,
July 1.-THE constantly increasing
strictness of the censorship of 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 an united effort
on the part of correspondents here to
secure an abatement OF the rigor of
the censorship. The initiation In this
direction was taken a month ago and
resulted in the framing of q statement
which was presented on Sunday, July
9, TO Major-General Otis, commanding
the military forces of the United States
in the Philippine islands, with re-
quest for permission to telegraph it to
the United States. The correspondents
also asked that they be allowed to ca
BILE to their respective papers all facts
and different phases OF events as they
transpired here. The correspondents
had two long interviews with Gen.
Otis, in the course of which they COM
planned that the evident purpose of the
censorship was not TO keep information
from the enemy, but to keep from the
public knowledge of the real condi-
ton of affairs here. 1t was also as
serted by the correspondents that
newspapers printed in Manila, which
reach the enemy quickly, are permitted
to publish statements similar to those
which correspondents are forbidden to
cable. 1t was made clear to Gen. Otis
that the objection was to the system
and not to the censor.
Gen. Otis finally promised greater
liberality, agreeing to pass all matter
that he might consider not detrimental
to the interests of the United States
Gen. 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 fol-
lowing statement:
1--WE believe that, owing to official
dispatches from Manila made public in
Washington, the people of the United
States have not received a correct i'm
preston of the situation in the Philip
pines; but that these dispatches have
presented an ultra optimistic view that
is not shared by the general officers Of
the field
1--WE believe the dispatches Incorrect
ly represent the existing conditions
among the Philippines in respect TO
dissension and Generalization result
ing from the American campaign and
to the brigand character of their army.
eve believe the dispatches err in the
declaration that the situation is well
in hand" and in the assumption that
the instruction can be speedily ended
without a greatly increased force.
1--WE think the tenacity of the Fill
pinos purpose has been underest-
mated and that the statements are un-
founded that volunteers are willing 10
engage in further service.
''The censorship has compelled us to
participate in this Misrepresentation by
excising or altering uncontroverted
statements of facts on the plea, as Gen.
Otis stated, that they would alarm
the people at home or have the peo-
pie of the United States by the ears
Specifications: Prohibition Of hos
pital reports; suppression Of full re-
ports Of field operations in the event OF
failure; number of heat prostrations in
the field; systematic intimidation Of
naval operations, and suppression of
complete reports Of the situation.
(Signed)
JOHN r. M'CUTCHEON,
HARRY ARMSTRONG,
Chicago Record,
OSCAR X. DAVIS,
p. G.. MCCONNELL,
New York Sun,
ROBERT NJ. COLLINS,
JOHN P. DUNNING,
l.. JONES,
The Associated Press,
JOHN f. BASS,
WILL DINWIDDIE,
New York Herald,
E. S. KEENE.
SCRIPTS,
McRae Association.
RICHARD'LITTLE,
Chicago Tribune.
CAUSED A SENSATION.
War Department Authorities Refused TO