The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-07
HOBSON WAS NOT HURT
THE TWO MEN WOUNDED BADLY
INJURED
CONGRESS TO CONGRATULATE
When the Plucky Lieutenant's Desire
Is Known Promotion Will Follow.
Medals Ordered Struck
Associated Press Special Wire

KINGSTON, Jamaica, June S, with the
righted, 1885, by the Associated Press)
| delayed in transmission.) All the men,
bers of the Merrimac expedition are safe.
Two are slightly wounded, but Lieutenant
Hobson escaped without scratch. This
almost incredibly good news was brought
out this afternoon to Rear Admiral Samp-
son by Admiral Cerveras chief staff, I'M
der flag of truce.
Admiral Cervera," said the officer, sis
so touched by the bravery of your men
that he felt it only right you should know
they are alive. They are prisoners of war
and are being well treated"
Tremendous enthusiasm reigns over the
complete success of the expedition. Dur
ing the day the Merrimac was plainly seen
lying athwart the channel. She could
hardly have been placed better had she
been sunk in the day time, and with no ac-
compartment of fire. 1t was an anxious
day on all the ships. BY noon the officers
| and men feared the Merrimac's heroes had
died in their noble work, but at o'clock
this afternoon little black tug, flying a
white flag. was seen coming out from the
saffron hills of the harbor. Slowly she
moved toward the New York, the flagship
Assistant Chief of Staff stanton boarded
the Vixen, flying a flag of truce, and met
the Spanish tug, which proved to be the
Colon, half way.
Captain Oviedo signified his desire to see
Admiral Sampson personally, and he was
- lrav, hoo I'D
siasm as the news spread from signals
from the Vixen was so intense that the
appearance of the Spanish captain over
the side of the New York hardly excited
the surprise that might have been ex-
pected.
Admiral Sampson greeted Captain Oviedo
most cordially, thanked Admiral Cervera
for his gallant courtesy, and made the
preliminary arrangements for the exchange
of Lieutenant Hobson and his seven he
roes. However, as they have naturally
learned much about the Notifications, II
is hardly likely that they will be exchanged
for some time. After a friendly chat in
the cabin, Admiral Sampson sat on deck
with Captain Oviedo and pointed out his
great ships with pride. Stores and cloth
ing for the Merrimac heroes were put
aboard the Colon, and Captain Oviedo
went back in his little black tug, under
the flag of truce, never used, perhaps, by
more ohivalrous person.
The names of the two wounded were
not ascertained. One has a slight woun
in the cheek and the other in the hip. Az
ter blowing up the Merrimac, Lieutenant
Hobson and his party swan ashore and
were captured.
Reward of Merit
WASHINGTON, June 6-The promotion
in store for Lieutenant Hobson, the hero
of Santiago, is under consideration by the
Navy Department. Acting Secretary AL
len and Commodore Hichborn, Chief of
the Bureau of Naval Construction, talked
1t over in general way today, but no con-
clusions were reached. The Department is
DESTROYS of knowing what would be most
acceptable to Hobson himself, and when
this Is learned recommendation will be
made to Congress which that body will
doubtless carry into effect without delay
The present indications are that Hobson
will be taken out of the staff and be made
line officer, as that ensures not only an
increase of pay, but an opportunity to rise
TO the more conspicuous line position of
Admiral. At present, Hobson is an As
sistant Constructor with the relative rank
OF Lieutenant, junior grade. 1t develops,
however that within the next four weeks,
he would have secured promotion to the
rank of Constructor, relative rank full
Lieutenant, in the usual course of adj
vancement. AS this rank is already earned
by length of service 1t would hardly be an
honor 70 h
upon him. About the only expedent is to
give him promotion in the line, probably
as Lieutenant Commander or Commander.
where his pay would be greater than 1t
would be in the staff service and the
chances for future advancement would be
ample. There is some doubt, however,
whether an officer who has shown much
genius in the scientific branch of the naval
service would care to leave that service
for the line. Congratulations will be sent
to Hobson as soon as there is an opport-
unity to communicate with him, but while
he is a prisoner at Santiago it is obviously
impossible for the navy authorities to do
more than convey their congratulations
and thanks to Admiral Sampson.
Medals Ordered
WASHINGTON, June 6-Representatiye
Hartman of Montana has introduced Joint
resolution directing the Secretary of the
Navy to have prepared and delivered suit
able medals of honor to Lieutenant Hob
son and each member of his crew for gall
liant, heroic and patriotic services rendered
to the United States at Santiago harbor on
June g. 1898. 1t appropriates $500 for the
purpose.
Practical Gratitude
MOBILE, June en-. P. Inge, trustee of
the old city debt of Mobile, a former
resident of Greensboro, Ala, has -associat-
ed with him John l.. Rapier, publisher of
the Mobile Register, and r. V. Taylor,
apditor of the Mobile & Ohio railroad, in
an effort to raise fund to pay mortgage
upon the home of the heroic Richmond
Hobson at Greensboro.
This purpose was announced this morn
ing, and although no publication was made,
contributions came in in large numbers
to Mr.. Inge and are still arriving.
The First National bank of Mobile has
been selected as depository for the fund.
British Comment
LONDON, June 6.-Every evening paper
of this city echoes the morning newspapers
in the praise of Lieutenant Hobson's ex-
plot with the collier Merrimac at Santiago