The San Francisco call., 1898-06-07
Captain Miller Gives the Details of tbe Sinking
 of tbe Merrirnuc.
ProDotion and HoDors iD Store for tbe Daring Heroes of
 Santiago Hurbor.

have naturally learned much about the Qualifications, it is hardly likely that they will be exchanged for some time. After friendly chat in the cabin, Ad- miral Sampson sat on deck with Cap tain Oviedo and pointed out his great ships with pride. Stores and clothing for the Merrimac heroes were put aboard the Colon, and Captain Ovieuo went back in his little black tug under the flag of truce, never used, perhaps, for more chivalrous purpose.
 The names of the two wounded men were not ascertained. One has a slight wound in the cheek and the, other In the hip. After blowing up the Merri- mac Lieutenant Hobson and his party swan ashore and were captured.
 ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH BOAT DAUNT- LESS, off Santiago de Cuba, June (via Kingston, Jamaica, June 6).-Ad- miral Sampson is determined not to al- low the Spanish to remove the Merri- mac from the spot where she lies On Saturday 1t was reported that they were working at the hull, and the American fleet formed in line of battle with orders to Lombard. It turned out that the Spaniards were not so engag- l ed and the fleet withdrew. Admiral Sampson has given specific orders that i Ell Morro where the Merrimacs crew are imprisoned, be spared In the firing. Admiral Cervera's polite assurances were accompanied by the statement | that Lieutenant Hobson and his men were confined there. This placing of the prisoners in direct line of fire is de- l nounced by the American officers as a thirteenth century defense, an act of | incarnate cruelty.
 General Castillo, commanding the | Cuban forces in the west and north of | the province of Santiago, has been con- centrating 4000 Cubans in the vicinity | of the city.
 NEW YORK, June 6-The Washing 1 ton correspondent of the Herald sends | the following: Before the combined military and naval attack Is made upon Santiago de Cuba and Admiral Ger vera's fleet Naval Constructor Hobson and the men who so galantly aided him in sinking the Merrimac will be | free. This is the confident prediction of officials as the result of a cablegram re- ceived from Rear Admiral Sampson to- 1 day. Concerning its contents, Acting 1 Secretary Allen authorized this state ment: Admiral Sampson is engaged in arranging with Admiral Cervera for an exchange of Naval Constructor Hob- son and the men with him, now pris- oners at Santiago, for some officers and men held prisoners by the United States at Fort McPherson."
 It Is understood by naval officers that Rear Admiral Sampson sent flag of truce. probably by Lieutenant S. A. Staunton, his flag lieutenant, to Ad- miral Cervera, and that Lieutenant | Staunton, conducting the negotiations. expected that Admiral Cervera will communicate with Captain General .Blanco so the Spaniards may be deliv- 1 cred to the captain-general at Havana. Immediately upon receipt of the news ] from Havana, Admiral Cervera will give Hobson and his companions safe 1 conduct outside Santiago harbor.
 No action has yet been taken looking 1 to the promotion of Hobson, and it is doubtful if the President will do any thing until Hobson has expressed his wishes.
 Charett, who is, ffrst-class gunner's mate will in all probability be ap- pointed a gunner. If recommended by Hobson, and the recommendation be approved by Rear Admiral Sampson, it l will undoubtedly give a warrant rank to each of the men, besides s100 and medal of honor, as now provided by l law.
 WASHINGTON, June 6.-Represent- ative Hartman of Montana has intro- | duced a joint resolution directing the Secretary of the Navy to have pre- pared and delivered suitable medals of honor to Lieutenant Hobson and each | member of his crew for gallant, heroic 1 and patriotic services rendered to the United States at Santiago harbor on | June 3, 1898. It appropriates $500 for | the purpose.
 The promotion in store for Lieuten- ant ~Hobson, the hero of Santiago, is under consideration by the Navy De- partment Acting Secretary Allen and I Commodore Hichborn, chief of the Bu l real of Naval Construction, talked 1t over in a general way to-day. but no | conclusions were reached. The depart ment is desirous of knowing what would be- most acceptable to Hobson himself. and when this Is learned a re- | commendation will be made to Con- gress which that body will doubtless carry into effect without delay.
 The present indications are that Hob- son will be taken out of the staff and be made a line officer, as that insuras not only an increase of pay, but an opportunity to rise to the more con- spicuous line position of admiral. At present Hobson Is an assistant con- l structor, with the relative rank of lieu tenant, junior grade. It develops, how ever, that within the next four weeks he would have secured a promotion to | the rank of constructor, relative rank. full lieutenant. in the usual course If | advancement. AS this rank is already earned by length of service, it would l hardly be an honor for Congress 10 confer it upon him. About the only | expedient is to give him promotion | in the line probably as lieutenant-com- l mander. or commander. where his pay would be greater than 1t would be In the staff service, and the chances for future advancement would be ample. There is some doubt, however, whether an officer who has shown such genius l in the scientific branch of the naval | service would care to leave 1t for the line. Congratulations will be sent to Hobson as soon as there is an oppor tunity to communicate with him, but while he Is a prisoner at Santiago it is obviously impossible for the naval au- thorities to do more than convey their l congratulations and thanks to Admiral l Sampson.
 Public Clocks.