The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-18
HE PROMISES TO AMEND MAT
TIERS AT ONCE.
FILIPIN0S' TtNAClTY UNDEREs tt MATED
The Situation Well in Hand Misrepresen'a
ton. The Assumption that War Can
be Soon Ended Without lncreas.
ed Forces a Dream.

July 11.-Thc constantly increasing
strictness of the censorship of press
dispatches from Manila, which has pre-
vented the cabling to the United States
of any that did not reflect official views
of important events and conditions. re-
suited in Il united effort on the part
of correspondents here TO secure an
abatement of the rigor of the censor
ship. The initiative in this direction
was taken a month ago. and resulted i'll
the framing Of the statement which was
presented on Sunday, July 8. to Major
General Otis, commanding the military
forces OF the United States in the
Philippine Islands. with request for per
mission to telegraph it TO the United
States.
The correspondents also asked that
they be allowed to cable to their reSpec-
tive papers all facts and the different
phases OF events as they transpired
here. The correspondents had two long
interviews with General Otis, in the
course of which they explained that the
evident purpose of the censorship was
not to keep information from the enemy
but to keep from the public a knowledge
of the real condition OF affairs here. 1t
was also asserted by the correspondents
that newspapers printed i'll Manila,
which reach the enemy quickly are per-
mitted to publish statements similar to
those which correspondents are forbid
den to cable.
1t was made clear to General Otis that
the objection was to the system and not
to the censor.
General Otis finally promised greater
liberality, agreeing to pass all matter
that he might consider not detrimental
to the interests of the United States
General Otis appointed Captain Smith,
of his staff, censor.
The statement Of the correspondents
is as follows:
The undersigned, being staff corre-
spoiidents Of American newspapers STA
toned at Manila, unite in the following
statement:
I'VE believe that owing to the official
dispatches from Manila made public at
Washington the people of rhe United
States have not received a correct inn
preston Of the situation in the Philip
pine Islands. but that these dispatches
have presented an ultra-optimistic view
that is not shared by the general officers
in the field.
I'VE believe the dispatches Incorrectly
represent the existing conditions among
the Fiiipinos in respect TO discussion
ami decentralization resulting from the
American campaign and to the brigand
character of their army.
I'VE believe that the dispatches err
In the declaration that the situation is
well IN hand. and in the assumption. that
tsle instrreeton can be speedily ended
without greatly Increased force.
I'VE think the tenacity Of the Filipino
purpose has been underestimated and
that the. statements are unfounded that
volunteers are willing to engage in fur-
tier service.
The censorship has compelled us to
participate in this misrepresentation uy
eXc.sing or altering unconiroverted
statements of facts on the plea. as Cen
eral Otis stated, that they would alarm
the people at home. or have the people
OF the United States by the ears.
specifications: Prohibition of hospi-
tai reports: suppression or full reports
of field operations in the event of fail
ure; nnnlaers of heat prostrations in the
field: sysntematic minimization OF naval
operations. and suppression or complete
reports Of the situation.
iSigned)
'Jcln 7. McCautchoon. Harry Arm
strong. Chicago Record; Oscar X Da-
Wis, +. q. Mcdonnell. New York Sun:
Robert NJ Collins. John =. Dunnine. l..
Jones. The Associated Press: John +.
Bass. Will Dinwidde New York. Her
aid; H. ;. keene. Scripps- McRae As
fnclaiion; Richard Little, Chicago Tri-
bune"
STlhS UP THE DEPARTMENTS.
Washington. ID. c.. July 1.-THE pub
lication of the war correspondents "For-
mai Indictment of General Otis" man
agement Of the Philippine campaign
caused sensation in the departments
mere Secretary Hay has received ad-
vices as late as today from civil as well
as military couriers in the PHILIPPINES
wE.eh led him to declare that the sit
uation mere was certainly improving
materially and that the prospects for the
future had frightened very lirncb With
these advices the Secretary said Cen
Otis had had nothing to do and they
were from disinterested persons vhoco