The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-23
NOT TO B0MBARD SPANISH CITIES
Watsons Main Mission and Destroy Admiral Caaa
Feet-Havana Not to be Attacked While Yellow
Fever Conditions Exist

fective means of doing this. The War
| Department has not yet been informed
| that General Shafter'S allies have quit
, the American lines for the reasons sent
out in printed letter by General Garcia,
| but it is scarcely doubted that such is
| the case, for the friction has been grow
| ing more pronounced every day since the
| fall of Santiago and it is feared that a
severance of relations cannot be longer
avoided. The Cuban Junta is still hope
| full of avoiding such measure accord
| ing to the statement Of Senor Quesado,
one of the Cuban Legation here.
| The last and 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 Informed of his approaching
visit except through the newspapers.
| Consequently when he reached the rail
way station here at 2:3S o'clock this
afternoon. there was no official there
to meet him and his reception was truly
democratic. He succeeded in escaping
observation as he passed through the
| train shed. coat and umbrella in hand
and followed by Il porter proudly carry
ing his bag. but before he emerged from
the station some one sped him. n hooray
went up from one throat close by ami
in Il moment the station resounded with
vociferous shouting. The cry of Hob
son. Hohson," rang ont and the crowd
closed about him, shaking his hand
| and pushing him about until he was
rescued by the police and escorted to mis-
carriage. He stopped long enough 10 an
nouncc that all of the men who formed
the crew of the Mcrrimac were safe and
in the best Of health and that after he
bad made his report to the Navy De-
partmcnt he expected to return imme-
diately to New York The officer was
driven Mt once to the Army and Navy
Club and after brushing himself mp he
drove over to the Navy Department
This time he carried with him, under
his arm a large official envelope which
bore in the corner the Inscription North
Atlantic Squadron" AS he approached
the office of the Secretary Of the Navy
there ensued another demonstration. \
large crowd had gathered about the
doorway. and the hearty welcome it gave
the young officer brought bushes to his
checks. Secretary Long came out Of
his private office and grasping HobsOn
with both hands. said with sincerity.
Lieutenant. | am glad-vcry glad to
see YOU" Then he drew him into his
office. He spent half an hour in con
ference with the Secretary and then re-
turned to the club to rest. Secretary
Long stated that Hobson did not bring
the long expected report from Admiral
Sampson and his brother officers on the
destruction of the Cervera fleet.
The exact purpose Of his visit was cX-
plained by an order issued by Admiral
Sampson instructing him TO proceed to
Washington and inform the Secretary
Of the Navy of the work done upon
the Cristobal Colon. Lieutenant Hob
son was instructed to he as expeditions
as possible in order that, if it is pract,-
cable to do so. this fine ship may be
saved TO the United States Navy.
About $50 O'Clock Lieutenant H0hson.
accompanied by Secretary Long. went
to the White House to pay his respects
to the President. The President re-
ceived them in the Cabinet room. He
gave Lieutenant Hobson cordial greer
ing, and paid him a high tribute FOR
what he regarded as one Of the most
conspicuous acts of gallantry in the his
tory of naval warfare.
The lieutenant modestly acknowledged
the compliments Of President Mckinley
and quietly turned the conversation to
the object Of his mission to the United
States NJ this timc-the effort that is
being made to save to the navy OF this
country some of the vessels OF Admiral
Cervera'S squadron.
Lieutenant Hohson did not bring with
him the report of Admiral Sampson on
the destruction of the fleet Of Admiral
Ceryera. but he was the bearer of u
verbal message from the Admiral to
Secretary Long that the report on the
battle was in course Of preparation, and
would be forwarded in II few days
Concerning the efforts that are being
made to save some of the Spanish ships,
he informed Secretary Long that two
of the vessels. the Reina Mercedes and
the Infanta Maria Teresa, would be
saved certainly. and he expressed the
utmost confidence that the Cristobal
Colon could be saved also. With re
spect TO the Colon, Lieutenant Hobson
differs from the wreckng experts. who
were sent from the United States to-
float the vessels if possible. They are
Of the opinion that the Colon cannot be-
saved.
Lieutenant Hobson is enthusiastic I'M
his efforts to save the ships, and hur-
ried back to New York to take UP the
subject of his mission with the wrecking
company. Secretary Long said tonight
that if the Colon could be saved she
would be.