The herald., 1898-06-24

Cuba.
General Miles Will Not Talk
Reports were current at the war depart
ment again that Gen. Miles, commanding
the army, would leave the city within the
next two days. 1t was asserted also that
he had asked to get into the actual fight
ing, by going to Cuba and there assuming
command of the troops. This was contra
dictory to the reports circulated a few days
ago that Gen. Miles would assume command
of the Porto Rico expedition. When Gen.
Miles attention was called to the several
conflicting reports today, he good-naturedly
declined to discuss them. He considered
it inadvisable to give any intimation as to
when or where he would go. His long con-
ference with Secretary Alger during the
afternoon lent some color to the report that
the generals future arrangements were I'M
der consideration.
Accident on the Yankee
The details of the accident on the Yankee
on Decoration Day have just reached the
navy department. While the ship was at
sea trial was made of the guns. One, a
six-pounder, using English smokeless pow
der, hung fire after the trigger was pulled.
The gunner, without waiting, threw open
the breach just as the charge exploded.
The rear blast killed Corporal ]. j. Murray
and severely, but not seriously, wounded
Private Jesse Fuller, both of the United
States marine corps. The powder is be-
lieved to be defective, as other hang-fires
have been had with it, and if used at all in
the future it will be with great caution.
None of the naval militiamen, who in large
%I,o
The British consul at Havana, Mr.. Gollan,
who has SO well protected such American
interests in that town as were necessarily
left in his care, is to quit Havana for home
leave. He has been a long time in Havana
continuously, and has been under much
strain lately. During his absence Mr. Je-
rome, the vice-consul, will assume charge
of the consulate, along with the care of
American interests.
Representative Pearson, uncle of Naval
Constructor Hobson, had another long in
tervew today with Secretary Long, re-
specting the reward of that hero. The Sec
rotary is puzzled by the conflicting interests
In this case. He intends to reward Hobson
in accordance with the merits of his feat,
but would like to do this without injustice
to other officers.
Rewarding Heroes Worry
A study of the naval reS.stet shows that
If Hobson is advanced to the grade of lieu
tenant-commander he will be given great
er award than was ever known in our naval
history. Cushing got fifty-six numbers and
gained one year and nine months time in
his record, yet Hobson, it is calculated, will
be given, if made a lieutenant commander,
344 numbers and will gain twenty years in
time. He will become senior officer Of the
navy in the course Of about fifteen years,
and, owing to his youth, will retain that
place no less than twenty years. something
absolutely without precedent in the annals
of our navy. These facts are being adduced
by naval officers who are DESTROYS of finding
some other means of rewarding our naval
heroes which, while thoroughly satisfactory
to them and their friends, will work no in
justice to others. AS one instance of how
the present practice works, the officers
point to the fact that for his splendid
achievement at Manila Dewey gained only
ten numbers, while astounding as 1t may
seem, instead of a reward for his excellent
management and seamanship In bringing
the great battleship Oregon successfully
though one of the most remarkable cruises
on record, Capt. Clark actually loses three
numbers, through the promotion over his
head of officers engaged in the battle of
Manila bay.
Capt. Sigsbee is cited as case in point,
having suffered loss of several numbers,
representing year or two of naval serv-
ice, through the Manila awards.