Joaquin Mola y Martínez and the early war correspondents

Abstract

The knowledge of Joaquin Mola y Martinez (1822-1882) shed new light on the beginnings of war correspondents in Spain, during the second war of Italy (1859) and the war of Morocco (1859-1860 ), better known as African war. Mola reported both conflicts to the Diario de Barcelona and analysis of their stories reveals a preferential attention to the study and explanation of military operations, free from the political and literary burden of other correspondents. His own military status does not prevent the correspondent describes the difficulties of the army and poor health care to injured, causing a deep impression on the audience. In his defense by the criticism, the Diario de Barcelona evokes the behaviour of The Times in a similar episode during the Crimean War.