Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-07-18
A "ROUND ROBIN"
From the Newspaper Men in
the Philippine Islands.
They Object to Rigid Censorship
Exercised. by Gen. Otis.
Personally Present Case and Gen. Otis Prom.
ises to Remedy Trouble.

Manila, July II, via Hong Kong, July
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 official
views of important events and condi-
tions resulted in a united effort on the
part Of the correspondents here to Sc
cure an abatement of the rigor of the
censorship. The initiative in this di-
rection was taken a month ago, and re-
suited in the framing of a statement
which was presented on Sunday, July
9, to Major General Otis with a request
for permission to telegraph il 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
transpired here.
The correspondents had two long in
terviews with Gen. Otis in the course
Of which they complained that the evi-
dent purpose OF the censorship was not
TO keep information from the enemy
but to keep from the public "A knowl-
edge Of the real condition of affairs
here. II was also asserted by the cor
respondents that newspapers printed in
Manila, which reach the enemy quicker,
are permitted to publish statements
similar to those which correspondents
are forbidden 10 cable 1t was made
clear to General Otis that the objection
was to the system and not to the cen
sor. General Otis finally promised
greater liberality agreeing to pass all
matter that H. might consider not
detrimental To the interests Of the
United States. General Otis appointed
Captain Greene. of his staff. as censor.
The statement of the cores spondents
is as follows:
The undersigned. being all staff cor
respondents of American newspapers
stationed III Manila, unite in the fol
lowing statement. We believe. that oW-
ing to official dispatches from Manila
made public in Washington, the people
of the United States have not received
q correct impression Of the situation
in the Philippines. but that these dis
patches have presented an ultra -opti-
mistic view that is not shared by the
general officers in the field.
I'VE believe the dispatches incor-
tions among the Filipinos in respect to
internal dssentions and demoriliza-
tions resulting from the American
campaign and the brigand character
of their army.
we believe the dispatches err in the
declaration that the situation is well
in hand and in the assumption that
insurrection can be speedily ended
without a greatly increased force.
We think the tenacity of the Fill
pino purpose has been undereStimated
and that the statements are unfounded
that volunteers are willing 10 engage
in further service. The censorship has
compelled US to participate in this mis-
representation by eXcising or alter
ing uncontroverted statements Of
facts on the plea. as Gen. Otis stated.
that they would alarm the people at
home or have the people Of the Unit
ed States by the ears
"Specifications-Pro Of hos
pital reports; suppression of full re-
ports of field operations; num-
bers of heat prostrations in the
field; intimidation Of naval operations.
and suppression Of complete reports Of
the situation.
"(Signed)
John I. McCutcheon. Harry Arm
strong of the Chicago Record.
oscar X. Davis. 7. G. Mcdonnell Of
the New York Sun.
Robert NJ. Collins. John p DunninS.
l.. Jones Of The Associated Press
John f. Bass, Will Dinwiddle of the
New York Herald.
~ II Skpapa pf tho Sprinpc-
Association.
Richard Little of the Chicago Tri-
bune.'