The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-07-19
Censure for the Censors.


CORRESPONDENTS PRO.
TEST AGAINST SUP.
PRESSING TRUTH.
Ground Robin That Has Caused a
Stir in Administration Circles.
Manila, July II, via Hong Kong,
July 1.-THE constantly increasing
s::iosness OF the censorship OF press
dispatches from Maoila. which has
prevented the cabling to the United
States of anything that did not reflect
official views Of important events aad
cendi,ions, resulted 10 united effort
5on the part of correspondents here to
aecure an abasemen, Of the rigor OF the
censorship. The initiative in this
direction was taken mouth ago ano
resulted ia the framing of statement.
nhie5 vas presented on July 9th 10
Mai. Gen. Otis. commandiug the mill
stara forces Of the Uaited States in the
Philippine island, with a request tor
permission to telegraph it to the United
States. The correspondents also asked
that they be allowed to cable to their
respective papers al: facts aud the
different phases of events as they trans.
pired here. The correspondents had
swo long interviews with Gen. Otis. IN
the conrse of which they complained
that the evident purpose OF the censor
ship was not to keep information frcm
tae enemy. bat to keep from the public
. knowledge Of the zeal coDditioo of
aEairs here. Il vas also asserted by
she correspondents that newspapers
printed in Manila. whicn reached the
enemy quickly, are permitted to publish
statements similar to those which cor
respondents are forbidden to cable.
1T was made clear TO Gen. Otis that the
objection vas to the system and nos to
she censor.
Gen. Os;s fnally promised greater
isberality, agreeing to pass all matter
that he might consider not detrimental
10 the interests Of the United States.
Gen. Osia censor appointed Capt Green.
of bis staff.
The statement of the correspondence
IS as follows:
aThe Undersigned, being all staff
correspondents of American newspapers
stationed at Manila, unite 10 the follow.
ing statement:
I'VE believe. that owing to official
from Manila made public in
Washington, the people Of the United
States have not received a correct
of the situation IN the
Philippines. bat chat these dispatches
have preseased an ulsra-optimistic view
that is not shared BY the genersl
omeers 10 the field.
eve bslieve that these dispatches
incorrectly represent The existing con-
9itions among ihe Filipinos in respect
70 dissension and decentralization result
ing from the American campaign aud
TO the brigsad character OF their army.
1--WE believe the dispatches err in the
declaration shas .the situation is we'll
10 band' and ia the assumption that the
can bo speedily ended
si.hoa. greatly iocreased force
eve think the tenacity Of the
Filipino purpose has been underessl-
mated aed that the statements are
rnfounded ehas volunteers are willing
10 engage 10 further service
..The Censorship mas compelled US to
participate in this misrepresentation By
excising or altering uncontroverted
Of facts on the plea. as Gen
Osis stated, that 'shey would alarm the
people at home, or nave the people Of
The Uaited States BY the ears
.sSpsci6ca.ions Prohibition of hos
pital reports suppression OF tuls re-
ports Of field operations 10 the event of
lsiluse numbers Of heat prosssa.ions
ia the 6eld systematic minimizasion
Of naval operations and suppression of
sompls,e reports Of she sisussiou.
(Sigeed) John T McCutoheou,
Harry Armstrong.
Chicago Record
Oscar K Davis,
P G Mcdonnell.
New York Sus.
Robert NJ Collins,
John P Dauuieg,
L Jones,
The Associated Press.
John E Bass,
Viii! Din widdie,
New York Herald.
ES Keene,
Scripps-McRae Association.