Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/195

 decent paper, prints the news. If it were to investigate every dispatch that comes to it day by day there would be precious little information for the reader who turns to it each morning. If an injustice is occasionally done, the paper is ever willing to rectify its error and make all proper amends. You must naturally expect the American newspapers to favor the dispatches received from insurgent sources."

"Why, pray?"

"For the reason that little dependence can be placed upon the statements of the opposition. In fact," smiles Ashley, "the situation approximates somewhat the condition intimated in a joke now going the rounds of the press. A Spanish captain in surrendering to superior numbers or prowess, craves one boon at the hands of his conqueror. 'What is it?' asks the latter. 'Please announce the fact,' requests the Spanish captain, 'that I have won an overwhelming victory.'"

The senor fails to see anything amusing in the jest. "Do you intend to remain at Santiago?" he asks.

"For the present. The fighting appears to be principally at this end of the island. Later I may push on to Havana."

"There has been more than one instance of expulsion of foreign correspondents, senor."

"So I am told. Well, I shall do my duty, as well as I know how. I naturally sympathize with the Cubans, but I shall not permit my sympathies to lead me to color any reports of the war's progress. If a battle occurs to-morrow and the government forces are victorious, the simple facts in the case will be forwarded, without further comment than is required to make the story interesting. And if the Cubans win, the same impartiality will characterize my dispatch. I expect the same fair play that I extend. Is that not reasonable?"

"Well, at any rate, I like your frankness," says the senor, with something approaching good humor. "I also like America and admire its people. Do your duty as you understand it, Senor Ashley, and should your zeal as