The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-21
Will Not Recognize Rules of Civil
LIKED Warfare.
BLANCO'S SAVAGE THREAT
PROPOSES TO FIRE ON ANY FLAG
OF TRUCE.
Robson and His Men Exposed to Dan
ger and Used As Shield, In VIC
lation of Civilized Rules-Spanish
Government Has Not Decided
Question of Exchange.

learned from naval officers mere lndt
Captain General Blanco has notified
the American blockading feet that ne
will hereafter recognize no flag OF
truce, adding that every vessel within
six miles range will be fired upon,
whether flying the stars and stripes or
a white flag.
The following was received today
from Commodore Watson:
CAPTAIN general states that Spanish
government refuses to exchange prlS-
oners.''
Hobson and his men are the prison
ers in question.
1t seems that events which led up to
General Blanco's letter began with the
sending of the Maple, under charge OF
Captain Ludlow, to open negotiations
for the exchange of Lieutenant Hobson
and other Merrimac prisoners.
General Blancos letter was ad-
dressed to the monitor Terror's captain
ludlow. After refusing to negotiate
for the exchange of the prisoners, he
delivered the ultimatum as to boats
with flags of truce.
Madrid, June 20.-Premier Sagasta,
when questioned on the subject today,
said nothing had been decided, in
spite of the American reports" regard
ing the exchange of Naval Constructor
Hobson and his companions, who were
captured by the Spaniards. after they
sank the collier Merrimac in the mar
row channel leading into the harbor OF
Santiago de Cuba
REGULATIONS OF WAR.
Washington, June 20.-During the
day dispatches announcing that Cap
tain General Blanco had refused to ex-
change Hobson and his fellow prison
ers created some Indignation, which
was modified later by Madrid advices,
quoting Sagasta as saying no decision
had been reached. Should Spain adopt
the cruel and unusual course of refus-
ing an exchange, the regulations of the
war department are sufficient to meet
the case. The following principle is
laid down in its regulations:
Retaliation will never be resorted
to as a measure of mere revenge, but
only as a measure of protective retri-
button and, moreover, cautiously and
unavoidably; that is to say, retaliation
shall only be resorted to after careful
inquiry into the real occurrence and
the character of the deeds that may
demand retribution. Unjust or incon-
siderate retaliation removes the bel
ligerents further and further from the
mitigating rules of regular war, and
by rapid strides leads them to the in
ternecine wars of savages."
1t was pointed out today by a lead
ing officer of the army that the Span
iSh had most to lose by a course of
cruelty which would call for retaliation,
as the number of Spanish prisoners is
far greater than the number of Amer
lean.
EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
The regulations of the war depart
ment lay down specifically how the
exchanges of prisoners are to take
place, and regulation 1910 of general
orders of the government of armies in
the field says:
1.-The exchange of prisoners of war
is an act of convenience to both bel
ligerentS. If no general cartel has been
concluded it cannot be demanded by
either of them. A belligerent is not
obliged to exchange prisoners of war.
A cartel is voidable as soon as either
party has violated it,
In the present case there has been
no general cartel that being the mill
tary term by which the exchange of
prisoners is regularly carried out.
Pending such a general arrangement
the belligerents almost invariably car
ry out the exchange in anticipation of
a cartel. 1t is probable that a cartel
will follow at no distant day, and the
exchange thereafter proceed, number
for number, rank for rank, wounded
for wounded, these being the general
conditions under the American regu-
lationS.
HOBSON'S CASE.
AS to Hobson the authorities here
are convinced that the Spanish officials
are taking advantage of the distinction
accorded him in the United States.
,,I1 e -fr,,
is valued solely by his rank, and it is
dishonorable either to underestimate a
prisoners rank in order to cause a
more advantageous exchange, or to
take higher rank for the purpose of
obtaining better treatment.
In the case of HobSon, his rank as
assistant constructor, which is equiva-
lent to lieutenant, junior grade, should
be the sole basis for his exchange, vet
it is obvious to the authorities here
that the Spaniards hold him, not as a
lieutenant, but as a popular idol of
the United States. In this respect his
detention ceases to be that of a pris-
oner of war and becomes one of host
age. The holding Of hostages, usually
for ransom or other benefit, is
medieval custom, but even as a host
age Hobson would be entitled to an
exchange for prisoners of greater rank
or greater number.
1t is recalled that when Colonel Cor
tejo, confined at Mcpherson, Ga, was
exchanged, it was strictly on the basis
of his rank, without consideration of
the incidental fact most important to
General Blanco, that Cortejo was a
close relative of the former captain
general.
SPANISH BARBARISM.
If the usual practices of warfare
were followed, HobSon and the Ameri-
cans would be removed to a place of
safety instead of danger, for a prisoner
Of war is entitled to civilized usage, to
protection against undue exposure or
harsh treatment. The putting forward
of prisoners as shield is a relic of
barbarism. AS a rule the places where
prisoners are confined, where hospitals
exist and where works of art, Libraries.
churches and charitable institutions
are located are designated by yellow
flag. and commanders direct their fire
so as to protect these points as sacred.
If Hobson is kept at MORO, either to
ensure protection for that place or TO
expose him to danger it is said to be a
breach of the rules of civilized war
fare.