The times., 1898-06-06
WILL BE EXCHANGED.
No Difficulty AbOut ETccting fh
Release of Hobson.

No Difficulty About Efccting fhe
Release of Hobson.
It is announced that Naval Constructor
Hobson and his companions of the volun-
teer crew of the Merrimac, the heroes of
Santiago, will soon be free men again
and back on their ships in Admiral Samp-
sons fleet
Admiral Sampson has been given au-
thority by the Navy Department to ef-
feet an exchange for them of some of the
prisoners OF the United States now at
Fort Mcpherson. Ga Contrary to the
statements published in several of the
newspaper yesterday the number and
rank of these prisoners at Fort McPher-
son is sufficient to equal that of Cervera' s
prisoners several times over. A full list
of these prisoners has been sent 10 Samp-
son. Cervera has expressed his willing
ness to make the exchange and there now
remains nothing but the formality of
sending the Spanish prisoners south to
Santiago or Havana
There are seven Spanish commissioned
officers and nine privates prisoners at
Fort Mcpherson.
The commissioned officers are: First
Lieut.. Lucas Saenz Gastaminza: Second
Lieut.. Emilio NJ. Cabezer. Second Lieut..
Baldomero a. Zambrana. Second Lieut.
Juan NJ. Ramos. Second Lieut. Cleto III.
| Castro. Second Lieut.. Pedro l. Alvarez.
and Second Lieut.. Juan Gonzales Varges
Gen. Corbin yesterday sent this list to
Admiral Sampson and also to Gen Shat
ter. the commander of the Santiago army
OF invasion.
1t was announced definitely yesterday
by Secretary Long that Hobson will re.
ceive substantial promotion He will
be moved up on the list of naval con-
structors several numbers. It is not de-
cided yet exactly what this promotion
viii be, but it is promised that it viii
| be as far as possible commensurate with
| the heroism ana Importance of his deed
The men who accompanied Hobson will
! be given medals and votes OF thanks
! from Congress. President Mckinley will
send a message to Congress within few
days, recommending this. There will be
promotions for the men also.
| Naval Constructor Richmond Pearson
Hobson, the hero of Santiago. is one of
! the most remarkable men in the American
| Navy and his genius is only equaled by
his strong individuality He is but Is years
of age.
Mr.. Hobson was born in Greensboro.
| Hale County. Ala, and was graduated
with first honors from the Southern Uni
versity. In 1885 he was appointed to the
| Annapolis Naval Academy by Hon Hilary
A Herbert, then a member OF Congress
from Alabama. After graduating in 1883.
the youngest man in his class, he spent a
year or a cadet cruise through South
| American waters and later. in consider
alton OF his unusual abilities, he was
naval construction. Thence he went to
Glasgow and English ports TO study ship
building and was awarded several diplo-
mas for distinction in the science of arch
| itecture.
Returning to America he wrote a num-
Der of articles dealing with technical
naval subjects which attracted wide at
tention and subsequently proposed the es-
| tablishment of a post graduate course at
the Annapolis Academy for cadets who
| intended entering the construction corps.
Previous to that time American naval
| constructors were educated abroad Such
a course was established under the direc-
| ton and charge of Mir. Hobson
Just before the beginning of the present
| war, Mr.. Hobson urged that naval con-
| structors be assigned to sea duty with
the several squadrons. and his suggestion
was accepted. He was assigned to duty
| with Admiral SIMPSONS squadron.