"Yellow Journalism"
Have the American papers concentrate on some other issue so they do not inflame the public against Spain and it's colonial atrocities. Since William Randolph Hearst (New York Journal) was involved in a circulation war with Joseph Pulitzer (New York World). Newspapers ran articles of a sensationalist nature. They sent correspondents to Cuba to cover the war. These plucky reporters had to evade Spanish authorities; they were unable to get reliable news and relied heavily on informants for their stories. Many stories of fabricated atrocities came from second or third hand accounts (can you say "Hearsay")? They were either elaborated, misrepresented or completely fabricated by journalists to enhance the dramatic effect.
Frederic Remington, the artist hired by Hearst to provide illustrations to accompany a series of articles on the Cuban Revolution, soon became bored with seemingly peaceful Cuba and wired Hearst in January 1897:
"Everything is quiet. There is no trouble. There will be no war. I wish to return."
To which Hearst's alleged reply was:
"Please remain. You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war."
Figure out another ratings war scheme for Hearst and Pulitzer to get into instead of Spain and it's colonies.
Maybe the Boxer Rebellion came a bit early, in 1897 instead of 1899?
Other world events in 1897
January 27th: British forces occupy Bidu Gold Coast (Ghana) in January.
Well, we're sort of friendly with the Brits!
March 11th: A meteorite enters the earth’s atmosphere and explodes over New Martinsville, West Virginia. Debris causes no damage or injuries.
Or could it?
April 5th: The “Thirty Days War” between Greece and the Ottoman Empire is declared.
May 12th: In the battle of Thessalie, Turkish forces beat the Greeks.
May 15th: The Greek army retreats with heavy losses.
Ottoman atrocities against the poor innocent Greeks? Peace is finally signed on September 20th, Greece's army was ill-trained and did not do well against the German trained Turks.
September 10th: Twenty unarmed immigrant miners are killed by a sheriff’s posse in the Latimer Massacre in Pennsylvania.
The beginnings of the Socialist Revolution in America?
November 25th: Spain grants Puerto Rico autonomy.
And follows this with autonomy granted to Cuba and the Philipines?
Just musings on other "Yellow Journalism" stories that could be picked up on instead of the Spanish Colonies. Which seemed to be a NY condition, Midwest papers were generally reporting straight news, not the sensationally created stories of Hearst. And others......