The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-22
LOST FAME BY KISSING
HERO HOBsON HAS FALLEN FROM
HIS ONCE HIGH PEDESTAL.
His OsculatOry Exhibitions Consid-
cred Dfsgraceful, and He Was
Therefore Ordered to Manila.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21-Naval Con-
structor Richmond Pearson Hobson's kiss
ing tour has aroused much adverse COM
ment n naval circles here. Unfortunately,
the department is not in a position to take
action to prevent exhibitions of maudlin
sentiment such as have occurred since the
lieutenant has returned from Santiago, but
the time will soon come when the lieutenant
will be out of the country. 1t is no secret
in naval circles that the real reason for
sending Hobson to Hong-Kong and Manila
was 70 get the young constructor away from
this country, where his schemes for raising
the Colon might have caused the depart
ment embarrassment but it was not in
tended that he should tour through the
West lecturing and kissing. AS an indica-
tion of tho departments attitude toward
him It was told to-day that he applied some
days ago for short leave before starting
for Hong Kong. but this was declined on
the plea that the department desired him to
sail on the steamer leaving San Francisco
Dec "a &t
Lieutenant Hobson had ample opportunity
to raise the Colon, but the department soon
saw that it would be impossible to float her
without the expenditure of a large amount
Of money, and that after such expenditure
she could be brought in safety to the United
States Commodore j. C. Watson, now com
mandant of the Mare Island navy yard, but
then in command of the wrecking opera
tons gave 1t as his positive conviction that
the Colon could not be raised. Commodore
Watson's opinion was shared by other Off
GERS at Santiago, and also by the board of
construction.
Lieutenant Hobson made strong effort
to remain at Santiago, but was ordered
north When he heard that a contract had
been made with the Merritt & Chapman
Wrecking Cmpany 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, Lieut..
Hobson got short leave, which ne spent in
the South, and II was while on his way to
Alabama that he received orders to proceed
to Manila. 1t is said that the department
did not consult Lieutenant HobSon concern
ing 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 will
superfntend the reconstruction of the three
cruisers raised at Manila by Naval Con-
structor Capps. He will be under command
pected that he will find in the far East any
hysterical females DESTROYS of clouding the
fame which he won at Santiago by making
him subject of their caresses.
Three days more are left to him to display
his tory powers in the United States,
and naval officials and officers will be glad
to learn of the departure on Saturday of
the steamer which vii carry the young
constructor to China