Evening Star Newspaper, July 8, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. See SE PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, J1€1 Fernsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th St. by ‘The Evenin Star Ne Sompany . HL €avreManN F Pres't. a ae New York Office, 49 Potter Building. ered to subscribers tn the op emt NaS (it Teh cee ites Evcater corte cach) By moallanywhere ia. the ster 2 certa each. By mai United States 1 Canada postage prepaid 60 cents per month. = ‘Saturday None ap $1 per year, wil at the Pot Office at Washington, D. .. (Entered at the Po. Rates of advertising made known on applicatior. he Evening Star. No 14,152. WASHINGTON, D. ©., FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1898-SIXTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. THE STAR BY MAIL. Persons leaving the city for any. Period can have The Star mailed to them to any address in the United States or Canada, by ordering it at this office, in person or by letter. Terms: 13 cents per week: 25 cents for two weeks, or 50 cents per month. Invariably in advance, Sub- fcribers changing their address from one Post-office to another should @ive the last address as well as the new one. FOE LOSES FAITH Armistice Extended Until Noon Tomorrow, foretgn pos a »nd-class mal matter.) ‘EF All mail subscriptions must be patd In advance. GENERAL LINARES WEAKENING Wants to Hear From Gen. Blanco and Madrid. LAWTON SURPRISES THE ENEMY His Division Advances Five Hun- dred Yards Nearer. THE PLAN OF ASSAULT The Santiago armistice has been extended until noon tomorrow. It is believed Gen. Linares is weakening and will surrender. Officials of the British foreign office and of the Spanish embassy in London deny having knowledge that Spain is negotiating for peace. The Spaniards are busy strength- ening the Canary Island defenses. While no peace overtures have been received the government would not be surprised to receive thern at y moment, directly from Spain or in Gen. Shafter reports his men in good spirits and making themselves more secure every hour. He is feei- ing much better. Four brigadier generals were rec- mmended for promotion in the nominations sent to the Senate by the President today. Another regiment will be sent to Honolulu at once if possible. The District troops are expected to reach Santiago this evening or in the morning. U Major + ght, 1898, by the Associated Press.] feneral Shafter’s Headquarters, Before Santiago de Cuba, July 7, by the Associated Press Dispatch Boat Dauntless, via Port Antonio and Kingston, Jamaica, July 8, 9 a.m.—The armistice has been ex- tended until noon on Saturday, in order to allow General Linares to communicate with Cap’ General Blanco and with Madrid. General Linares informed General Shaft- er that he had no telegraph operator and cne sent into the city accompanied by the British consul, F. W. Ramsden, under the British flag. Not a shot has been fired recently on either side, but work is being pushed on the batteries and entrenchments. Our po- tion has been greatly strengthened dur- ing the last forty-eight hours, the American lines advancing to within four hundred yards of the enemy’s and our hillside bat- teries overlook and command the city. Lawiton's Night Advance. ght General Lawton’s division ad- ed five hundred yards, to the enemy's t surprise. The dynamite gun of Col. Woods’ Rough was Riders, in charge of Sergeant Hallett Al- sopp Borrowe, has been beautifully placed, hidden in a snug pit. The streams have been bridged over, al- lowing the transportation of heavy artil- lery with facility, and the roads have been Sreatly improved. The general health of the soldiers is good. The arm is affording a long-needed rest for our men, and they are now in good shape to resume Aghting. Gen. is evidently weakening, and the mediation of the bishop of Santia- go and the consular corps may persuade him to surrende Linares The Plan of Assault. In case hostilities are resumed the plan of assault is for Rear Admiral Sampson to bombard the forts at the mouth of the har- bor, driving the men away from the guns, and then land a thousand men and occupy the forts, while launches, with grappling irons, go in and countermine the harbor. ‘The fieet will then enter and then bombard the city, supporting the land assault. General Garcia, the insurgent commander, received orders yesterday not to attack the Spaniards while the negotiations are on foot. The wrecked Spanish cruisers are still filled with charred bodies and the buzzards ere devouring the remains. The Cubans, by Rear Admiral Sampson's orders, have buried the bodies of over’one hundred Spanisrds which were washed nshore, Peed ESE! TO BE TAKEN TO ANNAPOLIS. Spanish Naval Officers to Be Confined in Academy Grounds, All the Spanish naval officers capturea by the American feet are to be confined within the limits of the Naval Academy grounds at Annapolis. They will be placed in the quarters vacated by the American naval officers who left the academy to go into active service, and they will be treated with the greatest consideration, having earned the admiration of the American sailors by their splendid exhibition of cour- age in the face of almost inevitable death or capture. Admiral Cervera, it is ex- pected, will be among the prisoners who will in all likelihood be given the freedom of the grounds under limited parole. ‘The prisoners are expected to arrive at Portsmouth, N. H., tonight or tomorrow, on the steamer St. Louis. Quarters have been prepared there for the enlisted men and non-commissioned officers among the Spanish officers. Being given carte blanche by the Secretary of the Navy these officers succeeded in having erected in forty-eight hours, eight buildings 100 feet long by 18 feet broad each for the accommodation of the prisoners. The site is Seavey’s Island, in Portsmouth harbor, where it will be easy to confine them withfn bounds. There was some trouble experienced with them when they first came aboard the ships. The officers scrupulously observed their parole, but some of the men attempt- ed an uprising, and this was not quelled until seven of them had been killed by the American guards, as narrated in dispatches to The Star. Considering the limited time allotted for the preparation of quarters for these men much has been done. There is a hospital, marine barracks for the guards, a complete system of sewage and water works, including piping for the reservoir; cooks’ quarters and all things that go to make up a complete military prison. The St. Louis will land the enlisted men at Portsmouth tonight or tomorrow, and they will be conveyed by small steamers across the harbor to Seavy’s Island. The Spanish officers will not be landed at Ports- mouth, but will be brought on the St. Louis to Annapolis, where they should ar- rive about the middle of next week. On the St. Louis there are forty Spanish ofti- cers and 800 men. ——_——__-e—_____ WRECKERS TO WORK. Effort to Save Some of the Vessels of Cervera’s Flect. NEW YORK, July 8.—Capt. Frederick Sharp, an expert diver and the chief of the Merritt-Chapman Wrecking Company’s forces, will have charge of the wrec outfit which sails from Norfolk today the coast of Cuba, with the hope of saving some of the vessels of Admiral Cervera’s fleet. Capt. Sharp will make a thorouga ex- amination of the vessels of the Spanish fleet to ascertain how many can be saved and brought to American waters. The wreckers are more confident of say- ing the Cristobal Colon, Admiral Cervera’s flagship. If she is worth the trouble, Capt. Sharp said he would have no trouble in ‘floating her and towing her to Key West. The expedition will be one of the largest ever made up by the Merritt-Chapman Company, ana the crews of the company may remain off Cuba for an indefinite period. Capt. Sharp had charge of the Merritt- Chapman forces when they went to Ha- vana harbor to make an eff to raise the United States battle ship Maine. a HOBSON ON THE NEW YORK. His Comrades Tell of Their Keepers’ Fear During the Fighting. (Copyright, 1£98.) Special Cable Dispateh to The Even! ig Star. On the New York, off Siboney, July 6, via Port Antonio, July 8.—Lieut. Hobson and the seven prisoners who went with him to sink the collier Merrimac in the channel leading into Santiago harbor were taken aboard the New York tonight, hav- irg been exchanged. When Lieut. Hobson rode into Siboney, escorted by Col. Astor and an orderly, he was recognized and was welcomed with cheers. Wounded men, in their bandages, from the hospital, crowded round him to shake his hand, de- claring meanwhile their admiration and breaking frequently into hurrahs. ° “Don’t, men,” he said, “’tisn’t worth it. Ary of you would have dene the same thing.” “Did they treat you well?” the wounded diers inquired, sympathetically. “Rather roughly at first,” Lteut. Hobson answered, “as they treat all their pris- oners, but I protested that it was shame- ful, and then they gave me a good room and a chance to get exercise and food, such as they had. You have taught them to respect you, lads, and you have dam- aged them’ considerably, especially n spirit. If it were not for Madrid politics the war soon would end. Just keep up your work and let the navy lend a hand and Santiago presently will fall.” “Could ships go into the harbor?” was asked. He replied: “There is no reason why they can’t. The Merrimac went past the principal batteries before she was dls- covered. I was chagrined that 1 didn't accomplish just what I set out to do, but they shot away our rudder.” The Frightened Keepers. The sailors, on their arrival, were more commtnicative. They said that after he Merrimac’s rudder had been shot away all of them gathered forward. Spanish shells fell everywhere except there. They felt mines exploding under the keel. As the ship was sinking Lieut. Hobson cried out: “Hold to her, lads.” A torpedo from the cruiser Mercedes lifted her out of water. After an hour two black destroy- ers approached, an-i finding the men cling- ing to the bow, took them off. They would not believe that the Merrimac was not a fully armed warship, and complimented them on their daring. When in captivity they were fed on coffee, rice, bread and two sardines each for a meal. The Eng- lish consul sent meat during the last few days. Salt meat was worth 75 cents a pound in Santiago, and hardtack 25 cents. When the Morro was bombarded the Spanish keepers fell on their knees and besought the sailors not to let the Amer- icans kill them. They were chided by their officers for their cowardice. ‘The American prsoners were taken later from the Morro to the hospital, which was ferijfied, though it was flying the Red Cross flag. After Hobsen’s report and Capt. Chad- wick’s conference with Gen. Shafter, it is expected that Admiral Sampson will send ‘mall boats into the harbor tomorrow to search for mines and will call for yolun- teers tonight. See Democratic Committee, Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. BALTIMORE, M4., July 8.—The demo- cratic state central committee will meet here on July 20, when Senator Gorman and @ number of prominent democrats trom. ali- over the state are exps to to assist the committee in, mapping out a mapping out a ne af policy for the to in the party to pursue : THEIR SPIRITS GOOD Gen. Shafter Reports on the Condition of His Men. THE WOUNDED ARE DOING WELL District Troops Will Arrive Tonight or in the Morning. THE FIGHT TOMORROW ‘The following dispatch from Gen. Shafter was posted at the War Department this morning: CAMP NEAR SANTIAGO, July 7. Perfect quiet today. At request of Span- ish general employ2s of English cable com- pany were sent in to him to telegraph his government as to surrendering. Men are in good spirits and are making themselv2s more secure every hour. Wounds are much less dangerous than similar ones made by caliber .45. Among the large number of wound2d there are few amputations—per- haps ten will cover it. General health of the command is good; 150 cases of fever, which runs its course in four or five days and is not serious. I am feeling much bet- ter. SHAFTER, Major General. All Quiet at the Front. General Shafter reportzd that all was quiet yesterday in the camp before Santi- ago, and to the best belief of the officials here that sam: state of affairs obtains to- day. The army is losing nothing by its rest, but according to the general's ac- count is gathering strength. More rein- forcements are due today or tomorrow, and when they arriv2 it is expected that the as- sault on the cjty will be resumed. It is hoped that this will be tomorrow, though, so far as the army Is concerned, it is gath- ered from General Shfier’s report that it surely will not advance befor2 reinforce- ments arrive, unless in order to repel a counter attack from the Spaniards. General Shafter and Admiral Sampson had their conference day before y2sterday, and as a result the fleet is going to make another try at the fortifications at the mouth of the harbor tomorrow. If the army is ready this will partake of the na- ture of a g2neral attack; if not, then the navy’s action willvbe simply in the line of execution of a policy of reducing Santiago by stages, according to regular siege meth- ods. Work of the Navy. While co-operating as far as possible with the army, the navy is not to be sacrificed in this attack upon the Spanish forts. The dropping of a G-inch shell from on high through the deck of the Indiana three days ago during the trifling engagement with the forts when the Mercedes was sunk strikingly verified the predictions of naval experts as to the dangerous effect of ele- vated fire upon warships at close range. It was more by good luck than by good management that the Indiana escaped de- struction or an awful loss of life from this one shell. ‘The President is determined that the navy shall not be sacrificed for a small stake such as Santiago. To his cabinet officers he has pointed out the extremely dangerous position that the United States would occu- py among nations if left exposed by tle loss of its navy—that arm of the service which has evoked the unwilling admiration and respect of the greatest powers of Europe. Without a navy, or at least without the steel bull dogs that constitute its back- bone now lying before Santiago, it might readily be concluded that we should no longer be safe as we feel ourselves to be at present from the arbitrary interference of European powers in the settlement of our difficulties with Spain. Awaiting Reinforcements, Therefore, the function of the navy in to- morrow’s attack is to help the amy in the Assault when it shall come to the final stage by entering the harbor; but this will be done only after the fortifications at the entrance have ben reduced and the way cleared, It is gathered here that that was the conclusion reached at the conference between Shafter and Sampson. Sampson reported briefly just after the conference, but the department has not been able to communicate with him since, and it is feared that wire troubles exist that will prove very embarrassing at this juncture. Shafter has said nothing about a forward movement on his part, leaving the conclu- sion plain that he waits the reinforcements, Aid for the Wounded. Surgeon General Sternberg of the army has received word of the arrival of the hospital*ship Relief, on the southern coast of Cuba, where Shafter’s army is located. The vessel reached there yesterday and was probably the most welcome arrival there since the war began. The Kelief is in charge of Surgeon Torney, and has a full corps of medical,assistants, nurses and surgeons aboard. Many of these were taken aboard at Fort Monroe, in response to General Shafter’s earnest request for ad- diticnal surgeons. An immense amount of medical supplies is aboard the Relie?, in- cluding quinine, which the army needs to a considerable extent in the Cuban cli- mate, blankets, mosquito bars, pillow cases and hospital shirts, besides an ice-making plant and a plant for manufacturing car- bonated water. The Casualties Before Santiago. The War Department has received from General Shafter the following dispatch giv- ing, as far as practicable up to this time, a statement ehowing the total casualties in each division (except General Whecler’s) of the army under his command as a re- sult of the recent fight at Santiago: Playa del Este, July 7, in Camp Near Santiago, July 6.—Iwpossible so far to get returns, but there has been treated in hos- pital at Siboney 1,052 wounded, and there are still 200 in hospital. In Lawton’s di- vision there are killed 4 officers and men; wounded, 14 officers and 317 men; missing, 1 man. In Kent's division—Killed, 12 officers and 87 men; wounded, 36 officers and 562 men; missing, 62 m:en. In Bates’ brigade—Killed, 4 men; wound- ed, 2 offizers and 26 men; missing, 5 men. Signal Corps—Killed, 1 man; wounded, 1 man. : General Wheeler’s report not yet re- ceived. ‘The composition of the several divisions above indicated is as follows: General Lawton’s division, the Sth, 222, Ist, 4th, 25th, 7th, 12th and 37th’ mn of United States infantry, and the 24 Mas- sachusetts Volunteer Infantry. General Kent's division, the 16th, 6th, 2a, 10th, 21st, 9th,-13th and 24th- regiments of United States infantry and the 7lst New York Volunteer Infantry. ~ . General Bates commanded the 2d Brigade of General Kent's division. To Reduce the Batteries. Since the navy is to open fire tomorrow noon, attention is being directed to the range of their guns, for on this depends whether the bombardment will be confincd to the outer forts or wil be effective upon Santiago itself. There are five battle ships and two armored cruisers, besides the less- er ships, to open this fire, namely, battle ships Iowa, Indiana, Massachusetts, Oregon and Texas, and armored cruisers New York and Brooklyn. But as the Oregon and Iowa are to be rushed with the eastern squadron to the coast of Spain, they may be coaling at Guantanamo and not utilized in the bombardment of tomorrow. But in any event, three battle ships and two armored cruisers will lead in an awful fire. These combined have 26 of the huge guns, 13-inch, 12-inch and 8-inch, having a range of ten or eleven miles on an acute elevation, and a range of over six miles on the elevation which can be given in turrets. This is an elevation which can clear Morro Castle and the harbor batteries, and can about reach the city of Santiago. ‘The maximum elevation on shipboard is 17 degrees, which limits the full range of the heavy guns abcut one-half. It is only the large guns above mentioned that have a range which can get anywhere near the eity, as the six-pounders and under have a range of not over three or four miles, while the Gatling guns are for close range, usual- ly not exceeding 1,000 yards. The big guns which can be brought to bear with some prospect of reaching Santiago are in detail as foliows: Indiana, four 12-inch, eight 8-inch; Mass- achusetts, four 13-inch, eight 8-inch; Texas, two 12-inch; Brooklyn, eight 8-inch; New York, six 8-inch. The eight 13-inch guns of the Indiana and Massachusetts throw shells of 1,100 pounds weight. The two 1 inch of the Lexas throw shells of 850 pounds each. The 30 8-inch guns of the Brooklyn, New York, Indiana and Massachusetts ‘pound shells, The smaller guns arily be centered on the shore batteries and forts. The G-inch guns and less throw 100-pound shells and under, ac- cording to caliber. Naval experts say that on the foregoing basis the bombardment of tomorrow will be confine] mainly to the forts and bat- teries, for while the big guns can about reach Santiago from the outer harbor when the ships are standing off a mile or so from the harbor, yet the most effective werk can be done against Morro, Cayo Smith, the Socapa and other fortifications leadifg up to the city. These reduced, the way is clear to Santiago. FOUR MAJOR GENERALS Military Nominations Sent to the Senate Today, Hawkins, Lawton, Chaffee, Bates, Wood, McKibbon and Roosevelt Recommended for Promotion. ‘The President today sent these nomina- tions to the Senate: Volunteer Army—Brigadier generals of volunteers to be major gencrals: Hamilton S. Hawkins, Henry W. Lawton Adna 2. Chaffee, John C. Bates. To be brigadier generals: Col. L2onard Wood, ist Fegiment, U. S. Volunteer Cav- alry; Lieut. Col, Chambers McKibbin, 2ist Infantry. First Regiment Volunteer Cavalry—To be colonel: Lieut. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, 1st Regiment U. S. Volunteer Cavalry. To be quartermaster of volunteers with rank of colonel: Frank J. Decker of Michi- gan. To be quartermaster with rank of leuten- ant colonel: James L. Botsford of Ohio. “To be chief surgeon with rank of lieut2n- ant colonel: Major Philip F. Harvey, sur- geon, U.S.A, To be division surgeons, with rank of major—Nelson H. Henry, assistant surgeon general of New York; Victor C. Vaughan of Michigan, surgeon 33d Michigan Volun- teer Infantry; Charles M. Robertson of Iowa, surgeon 50th Iowa Volunteer In- fantry. To be brigade surgeons, with rank of major—Royce Day Fry of Ohio, Elmer E. Heg of Washington, Charles R. Parke of Pennsylvania, surgeon 13th Pennsylvania Velunteers; Jabez N. Ja¢kson of Missouri, surgeon 3d Missourl Volunteers; Wallace Heft of Ohio, Geo. F. Shiels of California, Wm. S. Bryant, assistant surgeon 1st Mas- sachusetts Heavy Artillery; Wm. F. De- niedeman, assistant surgeon 224 Kansas Volunteers; Francis C, Ford of Texas, Law- rence C. Carr of Ohio. Volur-teer Infantry, 2d Regiment: To be captains—Harry W. Miller, Stephen O. Fogua, John Ernest Morris, Edwin S. Bronisard, Irvin Mather, Charles A. Mc- Cey, Frank J. Looney and G. Floyd Smith of Louisiana; Margnall.S. Swain, James B. Massie, Elias B, Wilcox and Anthony E. Fatjo of Texas. | To be first Heuterants—Louis A. Shallers, Vivian Gwyn Bell, Geo, M. G. Stafford, Michael Pickard of Louisiana; Edwin T. Rockwell of Ohio; Thomas A. Gagnal, Charles E. Jones of Texas; John M. one: ory, jr., of Florida, sergeant, Comrany B, 2d Volunteer Infantry; John M. Cunning- ham, Sydney Smith of 2 EES Dudley Tobin of Texas; James H. Hicks of Louis- jana, first sergeant, eed I, 24 United States Volunteer Infantry. To be second Neutenanté—John B. Lob- dell, Pierre W. Woodlief; John B. Mangun, Joshua A. Tratti of Louisiana, John 4K. Nichols of Texas, musician, Company G, 2d Volunteer Infantry; Wm. F. Champlin of Mississippi; Lloyd. Parlinson of Louis- jara, first sergeant, Company B, 2d Volun- teer Infantry; Walker W. Hamner of Louisiana, private, Com D, 24 Volun- teer Infantry; Jesse W. Smith of Louisiana, sergeant, Company H,’ 2d. Volunteer In- fantry; Harry ‘of Florida, first 24 Volunteer In- fantry. Infantry arm: To‘be second Heutenants— Corporal John W. French, Company €, 21st Infantry; Sergeant Cromwell Stacey, Com- pany D, 13th Infantry, . To b2 inspector general. with rank of major—Maj. Charles H. Heyl, assistant ad- ants general. ‘O assistant adjutant general with rank of major—Capt. Wm. A. Simpson, 7th Artillery, : Company. L, All Confirmed. The Senate, in executive session, con- firmed all the nominations sent in by the HOBSON'S OWN STORY He Tells of the Sinking of the Col- lier Merrimac, EXCITING RUN UP THE CHANNEL Only the Darkness Saved Them From Utter Destruction. Se EXPERIENCE IN PRISON See NEW YORK, July 3.—A dispatch to the Herald from off Santiago, Cuba, says: Your correspondent saw Mr. Hobson after he had made his report to Admiral Samp- son, and he consented to give the Herald a fuller interview about his expreiences. He spoke in glowing terms of the courage and bravery of his crew. “We have been thirty-three da Spanish prison,” said Mr. Hobson, more I think about it the more marvelous it seems that we are alive. “It was about 3 o'clock in the morning when the Merrimac entered the narrow channel and steamed in under the guns of Morro Castle. The stillness of deeth prevailed. It was so dark that we could scarcely see the headland. We Lad plan- ned to drop our starboard anchor at a cer- tain point to the right of the channel, re- verse our engines and then swing the Mer- rimac around, sinking her directly across the channel. The Merrimne Hit. “This plan was adhered to, but circum- stances rendered its execution impossible. When the Merrimac poked her nose into the channel our troubles commenced. The deadly silence was broken by the wash of a small boat approaching us from the shore. I made her out to be a picket beat. “She ran close up under the stern cf the Merrimac and fired several shots from What seemed to be three-pounder guns The Merrimac’s rudder was carried away by this fire. That is why the collier was not sunk across the channel. “We did not discover the loss of the rud- der until Murpay cast anchor. We then found that the Merrimac would not answer to the he'm, and were compelled to make the best of the situation. “The rua up the channel was very excit- ing. The picket boat had given the alarm and in a moment the guns of the Vizcaya, the Almirante Oquendo and of the shore attenies were turned upon us. ‘Submarine mines and torpedoes also were exploded all about us, adding to the excite- ment. The mines cid no damage, although we could hear rumbling and could feel the ship tremble. Saved by the Darkness. “We were running without lights, and only the darkness saved us from utter de- struction. When the ship was in the de- sired position and we found that the rudder was gone I called the men on deck. While they were launching the catamaran I touched off ihe explosives. “At the same moment two torpedoes, fired by the Reina Mercedes, struck the Merrimac amidships. I cannot say wheth- er our own explosives or the Spanish tor- pedoes did the work, but the Merrimac was lifted out of the water and almost rent asunder. “As she settled down we scrambied over- board and cut away the catamaran. A great cheer went up from the forts and warships as the hull of the collier founder- ed, the Spaniards thinking the Merrimac was an American warship. “We attempted to get out of the harbor on the catamaran, but a strong tide was running, and daylight found us still strug- gling in the water. Then for the first time the Spaniards saw us and a boat from the Reina Mercedes picked us up. It then was shortly after 6 o'clock in the morning, and we had been in the water more than an hour, We were taken aboard the Reina Mercedes and later were sent to Morro Castle. Their Imprisonment. “In Morro we were confined in cells in the inner side of the fortress and were there the first day the fleet bombarded Morro. I could only hear the whistling of the shells und the -noise they made when they struck, but I judged from the conversation of the guards that the shells did considerable damage. “After this bombardment Mr. Ramsden, the British consul, protested, and we were removed to the hospital, There I was sep- arated from the other men in our crew and could see them only by special permission. Montague and Kelly fell ill two weeks ago, suffering from malaria, and I was per- mitted to visit them twice. “Mr, Ramsden was very kind to us, and demanded that Montague and Kelly be re- moved to better quarters in the hcspital. This was done. “As for myself, there is little to say. ‘The Spanish were not disposed to do much for the comfort of any of the prisoners at first, but, after our army had taken some of their men as prisoners, their treatment was better. Food is scarce in the city, and I was told that we fared better than the Spanish officers.” His Experiences. (Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.] Off Juragua, July 6, via Kingston, Jam: ca, July 7.—The correspondent of the Asso- elated Press asked Hobson for an interview, and with regard to his experiences as a prisoner of war in Santiago he said: “During the first four days we were pris- oners of war we were confined in Morro Castle, and I can assure you those were uncomfortable and disagreeable days. The Spaniards did not exactly ill-treat us, but it took them some time to recover from the shock caused by what most of them considered our Yankee impudence in try- ing to block their harbor, “As a rule, the officers and men who came into contact with us were gruff in speecn and sullen in manner. There were many threatening glances shot in our direction. For Admiral Cervera I have nothing but the highest admiration. Mg “His act in informing Admiral Sampson of our safety I regard as that of a kind- hearted, generous man and chivalrous of- ficer. I expressed to him my sincere thanks end the thanks of my men for taking this means of relieving the anxiety of our ship- mates and our friends at home. He re- ‘peatedly spoke to me of his admiration of bombarding the shore batteries, and we could easily distinguish the terrific explo- sions caused by the Vesuvius throwing dyn- amite shells. Several times at night we were also fully aware that the land batter- les were fighting outside the city. Last Fri- day and Saturday it would be difficult to explain how anxious we were for news of the*success of our side during the engage- ment. The little information the Spaniards would give us could not be relied upon. “One thing that I found out in the hos- pital was that a large number of Spanish officers were wounded in last Friday's fight, for many were brought to the hospital to be treated. Numbers of badly aimed bul- lets came into the hospital windows on Friday, but I do not believe any one was injured by them. Our quarters there were very clean and comfortable, and the food was fairly good. “In fact, I have no reason to complain of our treatment as prisoners of war. The prejudice which the Spaniards showed against us during the first few days soon Wore away. We conducted ourselves prop- erly, and simply forced them to treat us well. “We knew nothing about the destruction of Admiral Cervera’s fleet until told by our ewn people today. Of course, our confine- ment became very irksome, and I cannot tell you how great was the relief we felt to be free again. I cannot express my grati- tude to our soldiers Who gave us such a welcome when we came into the lines. All of us are in excellent health and glad to 0 back to our posts again and see the war through to the end.” HOBSON AND HIS MEN CRIED. Warmth of Their Welcome Brought Tears to Their Eyes. (Copyright, 1808, by the Associated Press] Off Juragua, July 6 (evening), by the As- sociated Press Dispatch Boat Wanda, to Port Antonio, Jamaica, July 7 @ a.m.), via Kingston, Jamaica, July Hobson and th2 men of the Merrimac, after the exchange, approached the first line of entrenchments, occupied by the Rough Riders, low murmurs ran from one end of the line cf cowboys and eastern athletes to the other, and by the time the return- ing party reached them every man was on his feet, refusing to be restrained by the admonishing of the officers, cheering ly and rushing over every obstacle that chanced to be in their way, in their efforts to reach Hobson and his party and grasp them by the hand. The released prisoners were soon sur- rounded and compelled to stop to receive the greetings, congratulations and vigor- ous, heartf2lt handshaking of men they had never seen before. Sun-burned cavalrymen who had spent their lives in the saddic, on the plains of Arizona, New Mexico or othcr Western states or territories, and who did not know the difference between a ship's maintop, bilge or ke threw their arms around the sailor boys and literally dragged them over the entrenchments, all the lime sending out yells that under other circum- Stances would have struck terror to hearts even as gallant as those of the Merrimac heroes. The Wild Outbreak. No mountain fastness of the west ever re- founded with shouts from an Indian war dance that equaled the wild outbreak of American spirit that occurred at this m ¢t- ing of the sailors who did their duty, w th every Spanish gun in the harbor trai. ed upon them, and the hardy men, who, frum the day cf their arrival on the Island of Cuba, have fought their way over the bodies of their own dead and wounded to the very gates of the city that they will gladly storm again when orderad to do so. The 7ist New York Volunteers, near the Rough Riders, was the next regiment to fall upon Hobson and his men, and almost immediately the 9th and 10th Cavalry, both colored regiments, joined in the general enthusiasm, and cheer after cheer arose as Hobson and his companions forced their way through the lines of white and colored soldiers, Hobson, so far as possible, grasped each hand extended toward him, and neither he nor his men made any protest against the most uncomfortable crowding and jostling which they had to underge. If the ycung officer, whose home is in Alabama, has any race prejudice he cer- tainly forgot all about it as he passed through the lines of soldiers on his way to Gen. Wheeler's headquarters. He saw it was the uniform of the United States army and he cared not for the color of its wear- ers, grasping the hands of the ebony-hued troopers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and expressing thanks for patriotic welcome with as much heartiness as he displayed toward men of his own race. They Were Overcome. He and all of his men were completely overcome by the reception accorded them, and tears rolled down their cheeks as the soldiers crowded around them. As Hobson and his party approached Cap- tain Grimes’ battery the men cried out on every side to have a salute fired in their honor. Hobson protested against this im- mediately, and shouted to the artillerymen, who had also caught the infection, not to do it. Then some of the most enthusi- astic of the men appealed to Col. John Jacob Astor, and the latter entered into the spirit of the occasion and told the men they need not obey Hobson's orders, as he was only a lieutenant. But the officers of the battery prevented the men from firing the guns, as the Span- ijards might have mistaken the reports for the opening of an attack, and Af the latter had responded our soldiers were in no posi- tion, in their stat- of disorder and enthus- iasm for an engagement. Hobson jinalily reached Gen. Wheeler's headquarters, where the veteran cavalry- man and other officers gave him a warm welcome. By this time Captain Chadwick of the New York, and the naval escort from the flagship had reached Hobson and his men. The escort had brought a change of ‘clothing, including new uniforms for Hob- son and his men, and the latter were given a short respite while they changed their ap- parel. Hobson was also given a horse to ride of the trail to Juragua and his men ‘were placed in an army ambulance. | [SPAIN WILL YIELD” Spanish Pe to Italy Quot- ed as Having Said It. “IF ALL THE POWERS INViTE HER” -_ It is Said Russia Will Approve Any Peace Action. BLANCO FAVORS WAR NEW YORK, July 8—A special cable- gram from Rome to the Evening Journal quotes the Spanish ambassador to Italy as having said today to the correspondent of the paper named: “If all the powers invite Spain to con- clude a peace, Spain will yield.” Russia Favors Peace. ST. PETERSBURG, July 8—The Russian officials, the newspapers and the general public here are strongly in favor of speedy peace as the only salvation for Spain, and the newspapers recommend the interven- tion of Europe to compel a cessation of hostilities. It 1s asserted that if any power directly interested in the fate of Spain or the United States proposed mediation or ini- tiated intervention she would certainly have Russia's approval. . Blanco Urges War. MADRID, July 8, noon—According to @ dispatch received hore from Havana, Cap- tain General Blanco openly urges ‘he con- tinuance of the war. The newspapers of this city say the mo- ment has not arrived to seek for peace, on? of them adding: “We find ourselves in a position from which we are able to make our enemies feel the cons2quences of the war.” ‘The refusal of the Cuban cable companies to tranemit dispatches franked by the Span- ish government, in spite of the conditions of the concessions, occasions the liveliest discontent here. The Spaniards believe this action is due to the orders of the British government, which, according to the news- papers of Madrid, is raising constant diffi- culties in the way of Spain and is giving fr:quent proofs of its partiality for the United States. Spain, it appears, has com- plained to the cable companies, whose of- fices are in London, but without any result. Peace Rumor in London. LONDON, July 8.—Spanish 4's went up in Paris and in London today on the report that negotiations are proceeding betwe2n Madrid and Washington, with the view of bringing about peace between Spain and the United States. The stock exchange ru- mor had it that the p2ace negotiations were being conducted through British interme- diaries. This, however, is denied at the foreign office here, where the officials say that there ar2 no indications anywhere that peace is being negotiated. The officials of the Spanish embassy here say they have no knowledge of any peace negotiations being on foot at pr2sent. A special iispatch from Madrid, review- ing the situation, says: “All Spain knows of her defeat, and the People are beginning to realize the mag- nitude of the disaster. “The conservative press exhorts good cit- izens to maiatain peace. “An important circtlar has been sent to all the republican organizagions, signed by the leaders and bearing the motto, ‘Pre- pare.’ “In the -acanwhile, extraordinary muil- itary precautions have been taken to quell all internal troubles. “Gen, Correa, the minister for war, and his secretaries are working day and night. A second call has been issued for the Canary Isiand reserves, and additional forces of home infaatry and cavalry are being raised, while the artillery is being aug+ mented by two pieces to each battery. The Army's Opinion. “The peninsula armies will totaJ up 220° 000 men by July 15. The railroads are pre- paring war trains on all lines, and car- riages are in readiness at all the garrison stations. “A high authority, however, expresses the opinion that the rank and file of the soldiery are inclined to condemn the war, and fzel they are being driven to bloodshed for unjust causes by scheming poli and he therefore doubts the m: tude in the event of civil troubles. “The officers, too, while anxious for war, are divided on the question of loyalty to the various claimants to the throne. Thi question of succession is an important fac tor in a terribly tense situation. It is bee lieved the government is anxious to find @ pretext to arrest Gen. Weyler, fearing the part he might play in the event of trou- bles breaking out.” ——-—_ SCATTERED THE SPANIARDS, The Little Maple’ Breery Work Along Cuba’s Shore. KEY WEST, Fia., July 8.—While big events have becn occurring on the south ccast of Cuba, the blockading squedron on this side of the island has not been idle. On Wednesday the Maple w&s cruising off Cardenas, when she sighted a large body of men on the beach. Whether or not they were Spanish troops was uncertain, but the little gunboat ventured about fifty shots frcm a distance of about 4,000 yards, and scattered the supposed Spaniards. Yesterday afternoon the Maple held up a British tramp steamer, the Victoria, from Progreso, Yucatan, for New York, TAMPA, Fla., July 8—With a view Placing the city in proper & Nie fy 4 rl i rl