The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-07-20
OBJECT TO CENSORSHIP.
Correspondents at Manila Declare
They Are Not Permitted to
Tell the Truth.
MAKE WRITTEN COMPLAINT TO GEN. OTIS
Thcy Declare They Are Forced to
Give Favorable Reports Instead
of the Real Condition of Affairs
War Department Will Pay No At
tcntion TO the Protest.

Manila. July IL. via Hong kong, July
1S-The constantly increasing strict
ness Of the censorship of press dis
patches from Manila, which has pre-
vented the cabling to the United States
OF anything that did not reflect OIL
cial views of important events and
conditions, has 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 a month
ago and resulted in the framing of a
statement which was presented on Sun
day. July Q. to Maj. Gen. Otis, command
ing the military forces of the United
States in the Philippine islands, with
a request for permission to telegraph
it TO the United States. The CORE
Spondents also asked that they be al
lowed to cable to their respective pa
pers all facts and the different phases
of events as they transpired here. The
correspondents had two long inter-
views with Gen. Otis, in the course of
which they complained that the evil
dent purpose of the censorship was
not TO keep information from the en-
envy, but to keep from the public
knowledge of the real condition of af-
fairs here. II was also asserted by the
correspondents that newspapers print
cd in Manila which reach the enemy
quickly, are permitted to publish state
ments similar to those which CORE
spondents are forbidden to cable. 1T
was made clear TO Gen. Otis that the
objection was to the system and not
TO the censor.
Caused u Sensation.
Washington, July 1S.-The pubiica-
ton OF the war correspondents formal
Indictment of Gen. Otis management
of the Philippine campaign caused
sensation in the departments here.
Secretary Hay had received advices as
late as Monday from civil as well as
military sources in the Philippines
which led him to declare that the sit
uation there was certainly improved
materially. and the prospects for the
future had frightened very much.
With these advices, the secretary said.
Gen Otis had had not'ir,g to do, and
they were from disinterested persons
whose opinions must carry weight
views of Gen. Miles.
Gen. Miles says that Gen. Otis is in
command ia the Philippines, and that
the newspaper correspondents have no
official standing, rs they are merely
camp followers. and entirely subject to
the rules of the commander. They
cannot raise an issue between Gen.
Otis and the government. The govern
ment must necessarily look to the gen
eral in command for its reports as TO
the situation.
Reports Subst,ntiated.
\ member of the cabinet who stands
in confidential relations to the presi-
dent. closer than any other member
of his official household, said to-day
that this appeal would have no effect
at the white house.
THE reports of Gen. Otis have been sub
Stimulated by every officer of the govern
me1t in the Philippines" said he. The
members of the Philippine commission
have agreed with Gen. Otis in their pres
.ertation OF the situation, and so have
subordinate commanders in the army
who have made reports, or who have re-
turned to this country and talked over the
situation with the president. 1t is utterly
ridiculous 10 assume that a dozen news
paper correspondents can raise an issue
between Gen. Otis and the government
The question raised Is, therefore, not
orc Of facts. but merely of opinions, and
the administration viii accept the opinions
of Gen Otis in preference to those of the
newspaper correspondents"
VIII he ignored.
Washington, July 19.--lt was stated
Mt the war department Tuesday that
TO attention whatever would be paid 20
the round robin" of the Manila CORE
spondents. The protest was not sent
to Gen. Otis and it is said will not be,
and Gen. Otis will not be called upon
for an explanation. In addition to this,
ii was intimated that very encouraging
news had been received from the Phil
ippines, and that the situation was
much better than has been generally
believed.