New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-25
WAR PRISONERS A BURDEN.
TENDER TREATMENT MAY CEASE IF
SPAIN DOESN'T TAKE THEM HOME.
e,-sprcrov N THE NAVY DEPARTMENT THAT THE
ENEMY MEANS TO ABANDON THE MEN
OF CERVERAS FLEET.

ENEMY MEANS TO ABANDON THE MEN
OF cERvERAs FLEET.
rRy TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIBuSE)
Washington Aug 24-The Presidehts mag
unanimous offer to Spain through the good OFFICES
Of the British Ambassador at Madrid IN the mrs.
week Of August. lust after the initiation OF
peace negotiations. to release all the spanish
naval prisoners on parole for prompt repatria-
ton which was declined by Premier Sagasta al
the time has had the indirect result OF allen
ating most Of the ordinary prisoners. as well as
many Of the officers from their mother country
The Navy Department may eventually be COM
PEELED to abandon the comparatively luxurious
treatment il has accorded these men and put
them 70 work There are 800 prisoners at
Seavey Island In the Kttery (Me) Navy Yard
including nearly all the ordinary seamen ana
petty officers who were saved when Cervera
fleet was annihated. At the naval hospital
near Norfolk Va. the seriously wounded two
hundred In number. have been under treatment
and most Of them have now convalesced. The
principal officers. numbering ftty-three. have
been quartered in Annapolis in buildings which
will be needed in few weeks for the officers
and professors attached 70 the Naval Academy
The men at Norfolk great burden upon
the naval medical authorities. but the Navy Is
principally concerned regarding the large force
OF men at Seavey Island. They are quartered In
comfortable but temporary wooden structures,
which do very we'll FOR summer, but which will
cause great suffering soon on account OF the
approachng cold weather 70 which the Span
iards are wholly unaccustcmed. Some OF the
Spanish officers have written home that they
hope the war will continue another year. In
order that they may continue 10 enjoy the treat
ment they have been receiving. but others,
notably Captain Concas. who has been in this
country longer than any Of his colleagues. have
recently caused considerable pressure from vari-
Gus sources. chiefly political to be brought TO
bear on the Navy Department TO consent 70 the
return Of the officers to Spain.
Naval officials make no concealment OF their
anxiety to get rid Of Captain Concss and all the
other officers at Annapolis and Norfolk. VINO
are now on limited parole. but there Is no IN
,ention to release the officers until Spain makes
some provision for the ordinary seamen Spain
reply to the Presidents original offer 10 sur
render all the prisoners on parole was as rollo"s'
owing to the existence Of a Spanish law 70
the effect that any Spanish sailor accepting
parole in order 10 procure his release is liable
to punishment. the Government is unable 20 act
upon the suggestion of the United states and
remove the prisoners captured by the destruction
of Admiral Cervera's feet q Spain.
II IL the Impression in the Navy Department.
as Spain is SO much more particular about
prohibiting ordinary soamen 10 accept parole
than she Is in the Of their superior officers
that some Interior motive must he az the bot
tom # the matter and that possibly II her Off
cers were returned home the Spanish Govern
ment would take no further interest In the
sailors bat leave them as paupers dependent
upon the charity ~ the United States. II IS GER
tain therefore. that the officers will remain
under restraint as long as the men are confined
end II Spain continues 20 be Indifferent n is pos
sible that some ~ the luxures will be taken
from the officers and that they will he made 10
feel In a measure that they are in fact prisoners
OF