Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-23

which bore in the corner the inscription |
North Atlantic Squadron" As he ap-
preached the Office Of the secretary of the |
navy, there ensued another demonstration |
A large crowd had gathered about the
doorway and the hearty welcome il gave
the young officer brought bushes TO his
cheeks.
Secretary Long came out OF his private
ONCE and sraspinG Hobson with both
hands said. with sincerity: Lieutenant,
am glad. very glad. TO see you Then he
drew him into his Office. where the lieuten-
ant was introduced 10 Assistant Secretary
Allen, and Was greeted by Captain Crown
inshield, Captain Bradford and Pension
Commissioner Evans. WHO happened 10 drop
in He spent half an hour in conference
with the secretary, and then returned 10
the club to rest. Secretary Long stated
that Hobson did not bring the long ex-
pected report from Admiral Sampson and
his brother officers on the destruction Of
the Cervera feet. The exact purpose of
his visit was explained by the following
order, under which Lieutenant Hobson had
come to the United States:
United States Flagship New York. First
Rate. OF Santiago de Cuba, July i. lsss
.Sir:-You will proceed north in the St
Paul to New York. thence you will proceed
TO Washington and report to the secretary
of the navy and acquaint him with the OBJ
iect of your visit as set forth in my letter
to him of this date. regarding the work
upon the Cristobal Colon. Explain to him
fully the position and condition OF that
t-ge sy,Srr H.
ing it.
.-Second-Be as expeditions as possible In
bringing the matter to termination, IN
order that. if it is practicable to do so. this
fue ship may be saved TO the United States
nayy.
..Third-when this duty is completed, you
will ask for orders from the secretary OF
the navy. Otherwise, you will return TO
duty on board this ship. Very respectfully
"W. T SAMPSON,
"Rear Admiral L. S. N, Commander-in-
Chief L. S. Naval Force. North Atlantic
Squadron.
Naval Constructor R. p Hooson' L. ..
Navy. L. S. S. New York
About $50 o'clock Lieutenant Hooson
went to the White House to pay his re-
spects to the president Secretary Long
accompanied him. the two walking over
10 the executive mansion from the navy
department The president received them
in the cabinet room. He gave Lieutenant
Hobson a most cordial greeting and pald
him a high compliment for what he re-
garded as one Of the most conspicuous acts
of gaIlantry in the history of naval war
fare.
The lieutenant modestly acknowledged
the commitments of President Mckinley
> and quietly turned the conversation TO the
object of his mission to the United states
at this time-the effort that is being made
to save to the navy of this country some
of the vessels OF Admiral Cerveras squad
ron The subject was discussed at some
length Lieutenant Hobson freely express
ing his views upon il. After semainins
with the president for half an hour, the
secretary and Lieutenant Hobson left the
White House, the former going TO his
home and the latter to the Army and Navy
Club.
While at the White House. Hobson gave
his autograph TO half a dozen or more so
Iicitors, although he remarked that ht
could not imagine why they desired 1t.
While Lieutenant Hobson did not bring
with him the report of Admiral Sampson
on the destruction of the fleet of Admira
Cervera, he was the bearer Of verba
message from the admiral to Secretar!
Long that the report on the battle was II
course OF preparation and would be Tor
warded in u few days
Concerning the efforts that are beini
made to save some of the Spanish ships
he informed Secretary Long that two o
the vessels-the Reina Mercedes and tn
Infanta Maria Teresa-wouid be saved Ger
tainly and he expressed the utmost con
fdence that the Cristobal Colon could b
saved also. With respect to the Colon
Lieutenant Hobson differs from the wreck
ing experts who were sent from the Unite
States to float the vessel if possible The
are of opinion that the Colon cannot d
saved They think she is SO badly dam
aged both by shots from the feet and b
having been run upon the shore that ef
forts TO save her would be time and none
wasted -,
that IL the proper appliances are employe
the ship can be foated and restored com
pIetely He is particularly anxious tha
every possible effort be made with IN
Colon. as he regards the ship as the hnes
of her class that was ever constructed.
He is enthusiastic in his efforts TO say
the ships and declining to remain in Wast
ington for even a day, tonight hurrie
back to New York to take up the sub)e'
of his mission with the wreckinS eompan,
Secretary Long said tonight that IL Tn
Colon could be saved she would be- de VIZ
much impressed with the statements mao
by Hobson, and agrees with him tn;
every effort should be made.
Lieutenant Hobson will remain in tn
country several days but as soon as pc
sible he will return to Cuba to pursue
work on the wrecked Spanish vessels.