The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-21
FOOD FOR HAVANA,

NAVAL Omcinls Have Long known 9up.
plies Have Been Going Into tho City.
sptcnlaiions Ms TO iiob,on's Case.
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 2o-The
naval officials have long known that
supplies OF all kinds with the exception
OF raw material. have been reaching
Havana from tho south by way OF Bat
abano and the short line OF railroad con-
Meeting that town with Havana. They
arc not. however. very deeply concern
ed ut that fact, as It Is not believed to
be the main purpose OF the campaign to
cause the surrender of the capitol
through the starvation OF its inhabi-
tants. II this programme were at
tempted, with any degree OF success, Il
would mean the determination OF the
very element in Havana which the
government is disposed to protect,
namely, the civilians. for without doubt
thero would be repetition In Havana,
on a smaller scale. OF what Is going on
in Santiago. namely,all OF the food sup
plies would be seized by the military
and the civilian left to starve. Bataba-
no Is not blockaded port and this ex-
poses one OF the weaknesses OF the
blockade plan MS 1t leaves open good
seaport connected directly with Hava-
ma. The place was not included within
the blockading line for two reasons. In
the first place the navy did not have
sufficient number OF ships TO extend the
blockade declared Ineffective. In the
second place, owing to the shallow wa
ter, large ocean going craft such as
would bring troops, munitions Of war
and other valuable war material from
Spain could not get Into the port, which
thus became less OF a factor for harm
In the working out Of our plans. II
brought from Spain In large ships. these
supplies would have to be trans-shipped
at some nelghborlng port to lcoastIng
vessels OF lighter draught and with the
means OF Information within its control
our naval authorities have no doubt OF
their ability to cut off promptly any
such coasters. Nevertheless, in view OF
the degree to which the practice OF car
rying in supplies to Havana has ex-
tended. the naval officers have deter
mined to tighten the guard lines around
the south coast OF Cuba. As soon as
Santiago has fallen and Cervera's fleet
has been disposed OF. Sampson will be
able to spare a sufficient number OF
vessels OF the smaller type to make It
almost certain that nothing shall cross
between Jamaica and Cuba on the
south without passing the inspection
OF, the American ships.
The refusal OF the Spanish officials to
exchange Hobson causes a dlsasreeable
feeling here. While there Is no positive
obligation upon bellIgerent to e1-
change prisoners, yet It Is universal
practice in civilized warfare.
AS to Hobson, the authorities here ore
convinced that the Spanish officials are
taking advantage Of the distinction ac-
corded to him in the United Sta tes. Un-
der the rules OF war, a prisoner Is VAL
ued soley by his rank and 1t Is consld-
cred dishonorable either to under-esti-
mate prisoners rank In order to
cause more advantageous exchange,
or to take higher rank for the purpose
OF obtaining better treatment. In the
case of Hobson, his rank as assistant
constructor which Is equivalent to lieu
tenant, Junior grade, should be the
sole basis for his exchange, yet It Is OBJ
vious to the authorities here that the
Spaniards hold him not as a lieutenant,
but as popular idol OF the United
States. In this respect his detention
ceases to be that ola prisoner OF war
md becomes one of hostage. The hold
Ing OF hostages. usually for ransom or
other benefits n medlaevial custom, Sell
dom Il ever resorted to In modern war
fare. But even as n hostage. Hobson
would be entitled to an exchange for
prisoners OF greater rank oe greater
number.
The navy officials attach no signifi-
canoe to the halt-masting OF the flags
over MORO Castle after the recent bonn
bardment as indicating that Hobson
and his associates had perIshed. Morro
IS being spared to protect Hobson and
moreoVer It Is hardly supposed that the
Spanish flag would be lowered out OF
consideration OF an American loss. II
the usual practices OF warfare were
followed. Hobson und the, Americans
would be removed to a place OF safety,
instead of danger, for prisoner of wat
Is entitled, under civilized usage to pro-
lection against undue, exposure or harsh
treatment. The putting forward Of
prisoners as 4 shield Is relic Of bar
barism- If Hobson Is kept at Morro,
either to ensure protection for that
place or to expose him to danger, II is
said to be breach OF the r11les of cIvI