War Correspondents.

Hastings Standard, Volume V, Issue 1424, 15 January 1901, Page 3

War Correspondents.

Discussing the future of the war correspondent, in the .National Review, Mr H. F, Prevost Battersby makes a number of rather novel suggestions. Only representatives of the big dailies, the illustrated weeklies, and certain recognised agencies, he holds, should be allowed ut tb:, front, and only men of prove J ability or of indubitable qualifications should be permitted to correspond. By this latter restriction the Censor's office would be easier and more pleasant. At present he has todeal with men of every social and unsocial experience, who may he as complete strangers to the habits of discipline as they are to those of good manners, and who, not infrequently, prefer the views of the private soldier on strategy to those of the recognised generals. Mr Battersby's most startling suggestion is the complete severance of the war correspondent from the telegraph line. The use of the cable has an evil influence of more than one kind. It is a continued temptation to that " undue previousness which often differs little from the common lie." It ties a correspondent daily to the one spot from which news can be sent, and thus often causes him to miss the most interesting part of the day's fighting. It clog's the wire on most occasions with an absolutely ridiculous repetition of the day's doings. Lastly, it leads to what may prove a very dangerous competition, and to the multiplication of that uncertain class of servant, the despatch rider. "By the setting free of the correspondent from the daily importunity of the telegraph," continues Mr Battersby, "by the chances thus afforded him of viewing the most significant moments of the day's work, by the concentration of his powers on a sober and thoughtful review of operations, unaffected by opinions hastily expressed for the telegraph on the day of issue, and by the absence of uselessly repeated reports of the day's fighting, the public would be the gainer."