The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-06-23
SOME eau Sc FOR WORRY.
Three Subjects of Absorbing Inter.
n ,lst MT Washing ton.

Three Subjects OF AbsOrb1n8 Inter-
,e.st MT Washing ton.
washington, June 22.-PublicI atten.
ton here was divided almost evenly
between three subjects - the move
ments Of Gen. Skaters army, the
probability of reinforcements having
reached Dewey and the status Of Hob
son, the naval hero. Up to a late
hour none Of the anxiously awaited
messages which were to relate the ar
rival of transports at Santiago and at
Manila, Were received at the navy de-
partment. It was not doubted, hoWev-
er, that our vessels were off Santiago,
for, although proceeding at less
speed than the English steamers,
which at Kingston, reported having
passed them in the WindWard pass
age, the distance they would be
obliged to travel from the passage to
Santiago is less than that travelled by
the British ship, which came into
Jamaica in the early afternoon. If
they arrived in the morning off Santi-
ago they could report that fact solely
by means of a dispatch boat running
over to Kingston, a twelve hours jour
ney, SO that direct report from the
fleet (.
~t& Cannot Be Expecte e
till late hour. 1t is not doubted that
just about the time Shafter appeared
off Santiago the Charleston appeared
in Manila bay, leading the three trans
ports which bring nearly 5000 soldiers
to ,Dewey's assistance. That fact will
not be known officially for two or
three days owing to the distance from
there to Hongkong, the nearest cable
point. 1t is questioned here whether
with this force to back him Dewey
will feel justified in assaulting Manila
or even in accepting its surrender.
Either course would involve heavy re-
spOnsibilities for the admiral and it is
extremely desirable that no pretext be
afforded jealous European powers for
Intervention at Manila under guise of
protecting their subjects. Therefore it
may be that the admiral will wait for
another ten days until the second in
stallment Of troops reaches Cayite. In
this case he probably will land the
troops that arrive in the town of Ca
wife which is now under complete con-
troll of himself and the insurgents, and
employ the time in accustOming them
to Manila methods and climate.
Refusal to Exchange HObson.
During the day dispatches announc-
ing that Capt. Gen. Blanco had re-
fused to exchange Hobson and his fell
low prisoners created some indigna-
ton, which was modified later by Ma
drid advices quoting Sagasta as say
ing no decision had been reached.
Should Spain adopt the cruel and in
human course of refusing an exchange
the regulations of the war department
are sufficient to meet the case. 1t was
pointed out by leading officer of the
army that the Spanish had most to
lose by a course of cruelty, which
| would call for retaliation, as the num-
Der of Spanish prisoners is far greater
| than that of American prisoners.
There was a wholesale christening
;at the navy department when Secre-
tary Long supplied names for no less
| than thirty-five war craft. All Of
| these were provided for in the last ma
val appropriation BILL and while con-
| tracts for their construction have not
yet been let, the advertisements have
| been issued, except in the sase of mon
itors, and all the boats will be under
| way before cold weather.