Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-27

II VIII De remembered that Congress, by
appropriate action recognized the several
commanders of ships of war for their serv-
ices in the battle of Manila May l. 1898.
The commander of the revenus cutter
Hugh McCulloch. present and in active CO.
operation with the fleet under Commodore
Dewey on that occasion (by executive order
under the provisions of section 1851 Re-
vised Statutes), is the only commander Of a
national ship to whom promotion or ad-
vancement wes not and could not be given,
because he already held the highest rank
known 20 the revenue cutter service.
now recommend that, in recognition OF
the efficient and meritorfous services OF
Capt. Daniel B. Hodgson, United States
revenue cutter service, who commanded
the Hugh McCulloch at the battle of Man
liza chat officer being now in the sixty
third year of his age and having serv ed
continuously on active duty for thirty
seven years., be placed upon the permanent
waiting orders or retired list of the revenue
cutter service on the full duty pay of his
grade. WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion.
June %, 1898.
Cadet PoweIrs Promotion.
Also the following recommendation to the
Senate:
EAECUI1NE h MANSION,
WASHINGTON, June q. 1S9S
To the Senate of the United States:
1 nominate Naval Cadet Joseph w. Pow
ell to be advanced two numbers under the
provisions of section 1905 of the Revised
Statutes and to be ensign in the navy,
for extraordinary heroism while in charge
of the steam launch which accompanied the
collier Merrimac for the purpose Of rescu-
Ing her gallant uyh
under the command of Naval Constructor
Hobson, run into the mouth Of the harbor
of Santiago. Cuba, on the Sd instant, and
dexterously sunk in the channel
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
The Reward for HObson.
1t has not yet been positively determined
by the administration just what measure
of reward shall be meted out to Construc-
tor Hobson. The President at the instance
of Secretary Long recommended that Con-
gress authorize him to transfer Construc-
tor Hobson from his place in the construc-
ton corps to such place in the line the
President may deem proper. This will have
the effect to withdraw effectualIy the NOM
ination already made of Hobson to be ad-
vanced ten numbers in his own corps
Just what place in the line is to be given
him is not yet settled, but it can be stated
that he will not, as was at first proposed
be placed in the grade of lieutenant COM
manders.
With a full realization of the merits of
Hobson's achievement, the naval officials
have still concluded that such an advance
ment as that, amounting to a promotion of
over $50 numbers. would be unwise, SO 1t is
likely that Hobson will take his place well
up among the lieutenants of the naval ser
vice, which, officials believe will make his
reward fully equal to that bestowed upon
Gushing for his daring feat.
The Navy Department, while not relaxing
in any degree its efforts to secure Hobson's
release from captivity at Santiago, has
about concluded that nothing practicable
can be effected in this direction until the
town itself has been captured. The
leasons assigned by the Spaniards for de-
clining the exchange are admitted to be
sound if the facts are represented name
ly. that Hobson has had Opportunity to
see SO much of the Spanish defenses, their
strength and weakness, that he could not
safely be permitted to return to the Ameri-
can fleet at this time.
Unrewarded VaIOr.
1t is regarded little singular that
three of the sailors of the torpedo boat
Winslow who participated in the affair at
Cardenas when Ensign Bagley was killed
have been rewarded by being advanced to
warrant officers, while the man who most
Of all distinguished himself on that occa-
sion. Lieut.. John Bernadou, lies unreward-
ed at Key West, still suffering from the
effects of his wound. This, however, is ex-
planned by the fact that the department
possesses within itself the power to re-
ward in this way enlisted men, but 1t can
act in the case Of a commissioned officer
like Bernadou only upon the recommenda-
ton of his superior officer. In the present
instance that superior officer at the time of
the Cardenas affair was Admiral Sampson
who is now presumably too busily engaged
with other matters to recall to mind Ber-
nadou's case.
To Teach Spaninrds a Lesson.
The great lesson which the President de-
sires tc teach the Spanish people is that
they have been deceived by the men gov
erning them. They are still told that the
Yankees will not fight. and every reverse
in Cuba is turned into victory. The news
is cooked without trouble when the scene
Of operations is many miles away. 1t will
be impossible to cook facts If the Span
ish multitude sees and hears for itself A
revolution will succeed a successful fight on
the coast of Spain by the American SOL
diers.
There is no doubt, too, that the fleet is
sent to fight. There is to be no maritime
parade or exhibition.
Secretary Long talked to the President a
short time today about the orders he had
given to the sailing of Commodore Wat
sons fleet.
The formation of the new fleet will prob
ably postpone the attack on Porto Rico
until Cervera is disposed Of Ships cannot
be SO easily spared now for such an expedi-
ton.
THE SITUATION At MANILA