The herald., 1898-06-21
SnIPsTOBf FIRED UPON
SPAIN DECLINES TO ARRANGE
FOR EXCHANGE OF HoBsoN
VIOLATING RULES OF WAR
Hobson Becomes Hostage Instead Of
q Prisoner-It Is Thought Spain
. Wants a Ransom
Associated Press Special Wire

....4 Wants a Ransom
Associated Press Special Wire
KEY WEST, June 20, u:30 a.m.-It is
learned from naval officers here that Cap
tain-Geueral Blanco has notified the block
eding fleet that he will hereafter recognize
no flag of truce, adding that every vessel
within six miles range will be fired upon,
whether flying the Stars and Stripes or
white flag.
1t seems that events which led up tc Gen.
Blanco's letter began with the sending of
the Maple under charge of Capt. Ludlow, to
open negotiations for the exchange of Lieut..
Hobson and other Merrimac prisoners. Gen.
Blanco's letter was addressed to the mon
itor Terrors captain, Ludlow.
After refusing to negotiate for the ex-
change of the prisoners, he delivered the
as to boats with flags of truce.
Refuses to Exchange
WASHINGTON, June 20.-The following
was received today from Commodore Wat
son:
1.-THE captain general states that the
Spanish government refuses to exchange
prisoners
Lieut.. Hobson and his men are the pris-
oners in question.
Question of Ransom
KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 20, 8 p. m.-
F. w. Ramsden, the British consul at San
tiago, now acting for the United States in
the negotiations with the Spaniards for the
exchange of Lieut.. Hobson and his COM
rades Of the Merrimac expedition, has sug-
gested to the officials at Washington that
even ransom might be paid to secure the
prompt release of the American prisoners.
That idea was undoubtedly expressed in
the cable dispatches which passed through
the colonial authorities here, but in what
form it was shapedi is not clear.
DR.. Cecil. Brigsman, the United States
minister to Bolivia, has arrived on the
steamer Para on his way to New York.
Sagasta Says Nothing
MADRID, June 90 p.m.-Premier Sa-
gasta, when questioned on the subject to-
day, said nothing had been decided, ''in
spite of the American reports" regarding
the exchange of Naval Constructor Hob
son and his companions. who were cap
tured by the Spuniards after they sank the
collier Merrimac in the narrow channel
leading into the harbor of Santiago de
Cuba.
Rules of War
WASHINGTON, June 2O.-The refusal of
the Spanish officials to exchange Hobson
causes disagreeable feeling here. While
there is no positive obligation upon a bel
igerent to exchange prisoners, yet i. is uni
practical in civil warfare.
The regulations of the War Department
lay down specifically how the exchanges of
prisoners are to take place and regulation 109
Of general orders for the government of
armies in the field says: 1.-The exchange of
prisoners of war is AM act of convenience to
both belligerents. If no general cartel has
been concluded, 1t cannot be demanded by
either of them. A belligerent is not obliged
to exchange prisoners of war. A cartel is
avoidable as soon as either party has vio-
lated it,"
No General Cartel
In the present case there has been no
general cartel, that being the military term
by which the exchange of prisoners is regu-
larly and specifically carried out. Pending
such general arrangement, the belliger-
ents almost invariably carry out the ex-
change in anticipation of a cartel 1t is
probable that cartel will follow at no dis
tant day and the exchange thereafter pro-
ceed, number for number, rank for rank,
wounded for wounded, these being the gen.
eral conditions under the American regula-
tions. AS to Hobson the authorities here
are convinced that the Spanish officials are
taking advantage of the distinction accord
d him in the United States. Under the rules
Of warfare prisoner is. valued solely by
his rank, and it is dishonorable either to
a prisoners rank in order
to cause a more advantageous change, or
TO take higher rank for the purpose of
obtaining better treatment. In the case of
Hobson his rank as assistant constructor,
which is equivalent to lieutenant, junior
grade, should be the sole basis for his ex-
change. yet it is obvious to the authorities
here that the Spaniards hold him not as
q lieutenant, but as a popular idol of the
United States.
Hobson Hostage
In this respect, his detention ceases to
be that Of a prisoner of war and becomes
one of hostage. The holding of hostages.
usually for ransom or other benefit. is a
medieval custom. But even as a hostage
Hobson would be entitled to an exchange
Tor prisoners of greater rank or greater
number. 1t is being recalled that Admiral
Cervera won praise the world over by his
gallantry in making the first offer to ex-
change Hobson and his associates, so that
the present refusal to exchange Hobson
is the more unaccountable 1t is also re-
called that when Colonel Cortijo, confined
at Mcpherson, Ga was exchanped II
was strictly on the basis of his rank, with
out consideration of the incidental fact,
most important to General Blanco, that
Cortijo was a close relative of the former
Captain-G General.
The naval officials attach no Importance
In the half-masting of the flag over
Moro Castle after the recent bombard-
ment as indicating that Hobson and his
associates had persisted. MORO is being
spared to protect Hobson and. moreover.
1t is hardly supposed that the Spanish fla o
would be lowered out of consideration for
an American loss. If the usual practices
Of war were followed, Hobson and the
Americans would be removed to a place of
safety. instead Of danger. for a prisoner Of
war is entitled under civilized usage to
protection against undue exposure or harsh
treatment. The putting forward of pris-
oners as shield is a relic of barbarism.
As a rule. the places where prisoners are
confined. where hospitals exist and where
works of art. libraries. churches and char
table institutions are located. are desig-
hated by yellow flag, and commanders