The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-06-23
No EXCHANGE
FOR H|)BSON.
Spain Refuses to Give
Up the Heroes of
the MerrimaC.
WASHINGTON IS ADVISED.
Message Received From
Commodore -WatSOn.-
CAUSES A VERY DISAGREEADLE FEELING.

WASHINGTON, June 90 The fol-
lowing was received to-day from Com
modore Watson:
Captain General states Spanish
Government refuses to exchange pris-
oners.n
Hobson and his men are the pris-
oners in question.
The refusal of the Spanish officials
to exchange Hobson caused a dis
agreeable feeling here. While there
is no positive obligation upon a bel
ligerent to exchange prisoners, yet it
is universal practice in civilized war
fare. The regulations of the War
Department lay down specifically how
the exchange of prisoners is to take
place, and regulation 100 of General
orders for the government of armies
in the field says:
1.-THE exchange of prisoners of war
is an act of convenience of both bellig-
erents. If no general cartel has been
concluded it cannot be demanded by
either of them. a belligerent is not
obliged to exchange prisoners of war.
A cartel is voidable as soon as either
party has violatedit.'
In the present case there has been
no general cartel, that being the mill
tary term by which the exchange of
prisoners is regularly and specifically
carried out. Pending such general
arrangement, the belligerents almost
invariably carry out the exchange in
anticipation of cartel. 1t is prob
able that a cartel will follow at no
s.distapt dav, and the exchange there
after proceed, number for number,
rank for rank, wounded for wounded,
these being the general conditions
under the American regulation.
As to Hobson, the authorities here
are convinced that the Spanish Off
cials are taking advantage of the dis
tinction accorded to him in the United
States. Under the rules of war pris-
oner is valued solely by his rank, and
it is considered dishonorable either
to estimate prisoners rank in order
to cause a more advantageous ex-
change or to take higher rank for
the purpose of obtaining better treat
ment. In the case of Hobson, his
rank as assistant constructor, which
is equivalent to lieutenant, junior
grade, should be the sole basis for his
exchange, yet it is obvious to the
authorities here that the Spaniards
hold him, not as lieutenant, but as
a popular idol of the United States.
In this respect his intention ceases to
be that of prisoner of war and be-
comes one of hostage.
The holding of hostages, usually
for ransom or other benefits, is a
medieval custom seldom, if ever, re-
sorted to in modern warfare. But
even as a hostage Hobson would be
entitled to an exchange for prisoners
of greater rank or greater number.
1t is being recalled that Admiral
Cervera won praise the world over by
his gallantry in making the first offer
to exchange Hobson and his associ-
ates, so that the present refusal to
exchange him is the more unaccount-
able. 1t is all recalled that when Col
onel Cortejo, confined in Fort Nc
Pherson, was exchanged, it was strict
ly on the basis of his rank, without
consideration of the incidental fact
more important to General Blanco,
that Cortejo was close relative of
the former Captain General
The Navy officials attach no signifi-
canoe in the half-masting of the flags
over Moro Castle after the recent
bombardment, as indicating that
Hobson and his associates had per-
ished. Moro is being spared to pro-
tect Hobson, and, moreover, it is
hardly supposed that the Spanish
flag would be lowered out of consid-
Grafton of an American loss. If the
usual practices of warfare were fol-
lowed, Hobson and the Americans
would be removed to place of safety,
instead of danger, for a prisoner of
war is entitled, under civilized usage,
to protection against undue exposure
or harsh treatment.
The putting forth of prisoners as a