"I suppose Mr. Cleary has explained to you," the editor continued, "what
our designs are. Editing isn't what it used to be. It has become a very
complicated business. In old times we took the news as it came along,
and that was all that was expected of us; but if we tried that way of
doing things now, we'd have to shut up shop in a week. When we need
news nowadays we simply make it. I don't mean that we invent news--that
doesn't pay in the long run; people learn your game and you lose in the
end. No, I mean that we create the events that make the news. We were
running short of news last year, that's the whole truth of it; and so
we got up this war. It's been a complete success. We've quadrupled our
circulation, and it's doubling every month. We're well ahead of the
other papers because it's known as our war, and of course we are
expected to know more about it than anybody else."
"But I thought the war was to free the oppressed Cubapinos--an outburst
of popular sympathy with the downtrodden sufferers from Castalian
misrule," interposed Sam, flushing. "That's the reason why I applied
for a commission, and I am ready to pour out my last drop of blood for
my country."
"Of course you are, my dear captain; of course you are. And your ideas
of the cause of the war, as a military man, are quite correct. Indeed,
if you will read my editorial of yesterday you will see the same ideas
developed at some length.
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