The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-23
IO GET RID Of HIN
That's Why Hobson Has Been
Sent Out of the Country.
GETTING TOO BUMPTIOUS
His Kissing Exploits Cause
Disgust in Naval Circles.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 22.-Naval Con-
structor Richmond Pearson Hobson's kiss
ing tour has aroused much adverse COM
ment in naval circles here
Unfortunately the department IS Tot IN
position 10 take action 10 prevent eAhio.-
items of maudlin sentiment SUCH as have
occurred since the lieutenant has returned
from Santiago, but the time viii soon come
when the lieutenant will be out OF the
country.
II is no secret in nava, circles that the
real reason for sending Hobson TO Hong
Kong and Manila was TO get the young
constructor away from this country, where
his schemes for raising the Colon might
have caused the department embarrassment
but it was not intended that she should
tour through the west lecturing and KISS
ing. AS an indication of the department
attitude toward him. il was told today that
ne applied some days ago for short leave
before starting for Hong Kong. but this
was declined on the plea that the depart
ment desired him 10 sail on the steamer
leaving San Francisco December "a.
. Lieuenan Hobson had ample opportunity
20 raise the Colon. but the department
fiat her without the expenditure of a large
amount of money. and that after sucn ex-
penditure had been made there was no GER
tainty that she could be brought in safety
TO the United States. Commodore j. I.
Watson. now commandant OF the Mare
Island navy yard. but then in command OF
the wrecking operations. gave II as MS
positive conviction that the Colon could not
be raised. Commodore Watson's opinion
was haired by other officers at Santiago,
and also by the board of construction
Lieutenant. Hobson made a strong effort
to remain az Santiago, but was ordered
north. When he heard that a contract had
been made with the Merritt & Chapman
Wrecking company for raising the Reina
Mercedes he applied for orders TO superin-
tend the floating of this cruiser, but. it is
said the department informed him that
he could only go provided the company
asked for him. No request for his services
having been received from the company.
Lieutenant Hobson go a short leave,
which he spent in the south. and it was
while on his way to Alabama that he re-
celved orders 10 proceed to Manila.
1t is said that the department did not
consult Lieutenant Hobson concerning the
duty given him, but simply gave him the
necessary orders, an official stating that
the department was guided in so doing by
Mr.. Hobson's well-known desire to par
ticipate in wrecking operations.
In Hong Kong Lieutenant Hobson viii
superintend the reconstruction of the three
cruisers raised at Manila by Naval Con-
structor Capps He will be under command
of Rear Admiral Dewey, and it is not ex-
pected that he will find in the far east
any hysterical females DESTROYS of cloud
ing the fame which he won at Santiago by
making him a subject of their caresses.
Two days more are left to him 70 display
his osculatory powers in the United States.
and naval officials and officers will be
glad to learn of the departure on Saturday
of the steamer which VIII carry the young
constructor to China.