The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-10
IT APPROACHES REBUKE
STRIVING INSTANCE OF THE INGRAT-
ITuDE OF OLD MOTHER SPAIN
Genuine American Hospitality Toward an
Army of Debilitated Dons Not Apre-
ciated Nor Even Recognized.

New York, Aug. "a special to the
Tribune from Washington says: The
United States has magnanimously Of
fered to parole the 1900 Spanish naval
prisoners taken at the destruction II
Admiral Cervera's fleet, whenever
Spaln is ready to repatriate them.
with the exception of officers, VINO are
ENJOYABLE American hospitality within
the limits Of Annapolis, the bulk OF
these prisoners arc confined to the naval
station at Portsmouth. where they have
the liberty Of a large picturesque ISL
and and are comfortably quartered n
fed in temporary buildings erected
especially for their use.
The offer Of this government was
made regardless of the approaching
elimination of peace negotiations and
simply with a view of sending home a
large number Of national guests VINO
had considerably oVerstaNed their wei
come and become burdens upon the
host. The Spaniards have suffered
scarcely any OF the restraints usually
imposed upon prisoners of war. but
have been cared for as tenderly as II
thew had been Americans. The most of
them are terribly debilitated from prl-
vations they had suffered n a large
percentage have a to he nursed ana
cared for in hospitals. Instead or turn
ing lnfIl over 10 Spain III A"' iANAA'
condition they presented when they
sought refuge from their burning ships
and from the Cubans aboard the Amer
lean naval vessels, they have been full
ly restored to health and vigor, and tn"
offer of the United States contemplates
giving them Jack to Spain more able
bodied than they were when they left
the peninsula six months ago.
Although his striking instance of
American generosity to a helpless
enemy was officially laid before the
Madrid authorities through the repre-
sentatives OF a neutral nation some
days ago, 10 reply whatever has been
received beyond the simple aCknowl-
edgment, with the statement that 1t
would receive consideration. There
was every reason 10 believe that Spain
would eagerly embrace the opportunity
to secure these prisoners, constituting
as they do the flower of the naval force
as an important source Of strength TO
the government at this time. in case
domestic dissatisfaction assumed di-
mansions which could be controlled
only with much dinculty. The offer,
however, did not contemplate the gra-
tuitous transportation Of the men To
Spanish territory as the case Of Torals
garrison at Santiago. but provided only
for their delivery on neutral vessels,
under guarantees Of security in the
ports of the United States and perhaps
the Spanish delay is caused by the diff
hculty of securing a single transport at
the present time.
During the next two or three months
the prisoners win be a source of little
or no concern 10 the United States, the
trouble and cost of maintaining them
being confined To the furnishing Of food
and clothing. but as winter approaches
u will he necessary as early as Nov. |
to erect more substantial buildings for
keeping them warm, or II may be nee
essary TO transfer them 60 the South
II is a remarkable fact that Spain does
not possess a single American prisoner
10 offer in exchange for the number
OF Spaniards who have been captured
In the Philippines as well as in tbs
West Indies, and this inequality makes
the present offer of parole all the NOR,
charitable on the part Of this govern
mont