Evening star., 1898-06-20
What is Expected by Senators and
Representatives.
AMERICAN FLAG TO FLYOVER MANILA
Important Military Operations An
ticipated on Cuban Soil.
THE CASE OF LIEUT.. HOBSON

In all quarters this is expected to be an
| eventful week in the progress of the war.
Senators and members of the House who
have been following the developments of
the war with particular care and interest
say that this week the American flag will
probably fly over Manila; that important
military operations will be in progress on
Cuban soil, and the preparation for the in
| vasion of Porto Rico will be we'll advanced.
1t is expected now that telling blows will
be struck in rapid succession, and from
this time forward the war will be pressed
toward a conclusion, vigorously and with
out interruption. If the Spanish really con-
template sending relief to Manila, Admiral
Dewey, it is said, will be fully able to de-
fend himself by the time a Spanish fleet
could arrive there, and it, on the other
hand, the Camara fleet is designed for ag
gressive operations in this quarter it will
only hasten the time when the fleet will
be destroyed Perfect confidence is felt
that the Spanish fleet can turn in no di-
rectlon for aggressive operation without a
certainty of ultimate failure and defeat
The most that Admiral Camara is capable
of doing is TO remain in the vicinity of the
Spanish peninsula TO protect the coast and
the Canaries. 1t can do nothing for the
relief of Cuba If it should sail to Porto
Rico 1t would inevitably meet with the
fate that overlook the fleet at Manila, and
it could accomplish nothing in the expedi-
uon against our coast.
The Case OF Lieut.. Hobson.
The refusal of the, Spanish authorities to
exchange Lieut. Hobscn and his men ex-
cites the utmost indignation among men in
Congress This action the part of the
Spanish government is spoken of by men
who are authorities on interna tional law
as absolutely unjuStifiable and unworthy
oil d civilized nation No doubt is felt that
dobson and his men are being kept at
MORO Castle for the purpose of giving
that fortifcation immunity from attack
and that they are being retained as pris-
oners for the purpose of using them as a
shield for the safety of the Spanards. 1t
is not only that Hobson and his men are
being used thus hostage but they must
necessarily, while retained as prisoners be
subjected to the danger of disease and of
Grivation and famine.
Not only would every shot fred against
MORO Castle endanger their lives, but the
blockade Of the harbor and the cutting off
CT the base of supplies must inflict upon
them all the suffering which is legitimateIy
brought upon the beleaguered Spanish
%,
son aid his gallant crew are probably the
first to go hungry. The wants of the Span
ish army will be the first cared for, and
while the Spanish soldiers are on short ra
tions it is not likely that these prisoners
are getting much food. Ii is recognized as
legitimate in warfare that the feeding OF
soldiers should be first looked after, but 1t
Is not legitimate to retain prisoners when
an exchange is possible, so that they shall
suifer famine. 1t is known that food is
very scarce in Santiago, and it is the duty
OF the Spanish government, since we hold
Spanish prisoners who are eXchangeable
to make the change at once. To compel
our sailors and soldiers to shoot at and to
starVe their own brave comrades is bar
barity that no civilized nation can sanction
and none would be guilty of. No people
except such as were capable of treacher-
ousy blowing up the Maine and of mur-
dering women and children and defenseIess
old men could be guilty of such cruelty.
Spain will probably pay dearly for this az
ton, but the hearts of brave men are in
agony at the thought of the gallant Hob
son and his brave companions. 1t may
easily be conceived that the course of the
Spanish government in refusing their ex-
change inflicts upon them the horrors Of
uiSe-1Se anu IlullStf, WHICH may make 1t
seem to them better that they should have
perished with the sinking of the Merrimac
If Sampson Shells MORO.
If Admiral Sampson shells Morro Castle
and makes an immediate assault upon San
tiago these prisoners are subjected to all
the danger from our fire which is incurred
by the enemy. Yet if he fails to reduce
Moro Castle and attacks Santiago by slow
approaches he will be tortured with-the con-
sciousness that every days delay adds TO
the suffering of the brave fellows. more
cruel torture could not be devised by saw
ages than this of compelling our people to
participate in inflictng suffering upon men
whom the whole nation proclaims as he
roes and is eager to reward. The nations
of the world will condemn Spain for fore
ing this matter, and she cannot maintain
her claim to be regarded as one among
civilized nations.
What can be done about it is difficult to
determine. There is probably nothing lef;
but to go ahead without further reserve
and reduce Santiago, with a prayer behind
each shot that it may not find the heart of
the hero.