The San Francisco call., 1898-07-23
ROBSON VISITS
 THE CAPITOL Merrimac Hero Given
 an Ovation. BESIEGED BY BIG CROWDS ACCORDED A RECEPTION TRULY
 DEMOCRATIC. The Young Officer the Bearer of Dis patches Regarding the Raising of Cervera's Sunken
 Ships.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, July 22.-The most agreeable event of the day was the arrival at the Navy Department of Lieutenant Hobson, the hero of the Merrimac. The officials were not in- formed of his approaching visit except through the newspapers. Consequent ly, when he reached the railway sta tion here, at 2:38 o'clock this afternoon, there was no official there to meet him and his reception was truly democra- tic. He succeeded in escaping observa- tion as he passed through the train-r shed, coat and umbrella in hand, and followed by a porter proudly carrying his baggage, but before he emerged from the station, some one spied him and in moment the station resounded with vociferous shouting. The cry of 'Hobson! Hobson,' rang out, and the crowd closed in about him. shaking his hand and pushing him about until he was rescued by the police and escorted to his carriage. He stopped long enough to announce that all of the men who formed the crew of the Mer- rimac were safe and in the best of health and that after he had made his report to the Navy Department he ex- pected to return immediately to New York
 The officer was driven at once to the Army and Navy Club and after brush ing himself up. he drove over to the Navy Department. This time he car ried with him under his arm a large official envelope, which bore in the cor ner the inscription, North Atlantic squadron"
 As he approached the office of the Secretary of the Navy there ensued another demonstration. A large crowd had gathered about the doorway and the hearty welcome it gave the young officer brought blushes to his cheeks. Secretary Long came out of his private office and, grasping Hobson with both hands, said with sincerity:
 Lieutenant, I am glad, very glad, to see you"
 Then he drew him into his office, where the lieutenant was introduced to Assistant Secretary Allen and was greeted by Captain Crowninshield, Captain Bradford and Pension Com missioner Evans, who happened to drop in. He spent half hour in con- ference with the Secretary and then returned to the club for rest. Secre- tary Long stated that Hobson did not bring the long expected report from Admiral Sampson and his brother off, cers on the destruction of the Cervera fleet. The exact purpose of his visit was explained by the following order, under which Lieutenant Hobson had come to the United States:
 United States Flagship New York, First Rate, off Santiago de Cuba. July the St. Paul o.New York. thence you will proceed to Washington and report to the Secretary of the Navy and ac- quaint him with the object of your visit, date regarding the work upon the Cris- tobai Colon. Explain to him fully the position and condition of that ship and receive his instruction regarding it.
 g. Be as expeditions as possible in bringing the matter to a termination in order that, if 1t is practicable to do so, this fine ship may be saved to the United States navy.
 3. When this duty is completed you will ask for orders from the Secretary of the Navy Otherwise you will return to duty on board this ship. " Xery Y ESeasp%eeetafplHly' a%ea1Hy Rear Admiral U. s. N, Commander in
 Chief, U. s. Naval Force, North Allan
 tic Squadron
 Naval Constructor K. r. Hobson, U. 5. Navy, U. s. s. New York.
 About 5:3O o'clock Lieutenant Hobson went to the White House to pay his re- srects to the President. Secretary Long accompanied him. The President Se ceived them in the Cabinet room. He gave Lieutenant Hobson most cor dial greeting and paid him high trib- ute for what he regarded as one of the most conspicuous acts of gallantry in the history of naval warfare. After remaining with the President for half an hour the Secretary and Lieutenant Hobson left the White House, the former going to his home | and the latter to the Army and Navy Club. While at the White House Hob son gave his autograph to half dozen | or more solicitors, although. he re- marked, he could not imagine why they desired it.
 | He is enthusiastic in his efforts to save the ships and, declining to remain in Washington for over day, tonight hurried back to New York to take up the subject of his mission with the wrecking company.
 NEW YORK, July 22.-Lieutenant Hobson, who took the Merrimac into the channel at Santiago, arrived here to-day on the St. Paul, and proceeded at once to Washington. Lieutenant Hobson said that he had inspected the wrecked Spanish warships and he is certain that. if prompt action is taken.