The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-06-09

LONDON, June Gall the papers re-
fer in terms of the highest praise to
Naval Constructor Hobson's daring ex-
plot at Santiago de Cuba, but some
doubts are thrown upon the statement
that the Merrimac so completely blocks
the channel as the American reports
assert.
The Times in an article reviewing
the operations of the week says:
st is most probable that Adm. Ger
vera has q deliberate intention to stay
at Santiago, therefore, to open the
channel would be of very little use to
him. It seems clear that his squadron
was not prepared for war or fit for sea
when it left the Cape Verde islands,
and there is good reason to doubt
whether the Cristobal Colon even ship
ped her big guns at all.
"Hobson's exploit is one Of which
the American navy may well be proud.
The idea that the wreck can be re.
moved by the use of little dynamite
is opposed to all experience. Madrid
describes the affair as a brilliant Span
ish victory, but from dreams of such
victories there is an unpleasant awak-
ening.
Adm. Cervera's period of evasion is
now ended and, beyond creating an
unreasoning panic in America. he has
accomplished nothing. The naval
game in the West Indies seems played
out, and little can be said of it except
| that events have conformed strictly to
| law and that no new and expected de-
velopments can be traced Santiago
now invites capture by military ac-
| ton, and Adm. Cervera's ships, unless
scuttled, can not avoid capture"
+ The Times, commenting editorially
on the exploit, says:
1.-The perilous operation was execut-
ed with splendid gallantry by little
band of volunteers who almost
miraculously escaped. The destruc-
ton and fall of Santiago are now only
question of time, with the disap-
pearance of all the hopes founded up
on the Spanish fleets.
"Spain's sympathizers recognize that
her case is hopeless, and America will
not distress herself much about such
warnings as that of the St Peters.
burg Novosti Saturday. until the COM
bination assumes more tangible
form than there is any prospect OF at
|
present.
Peace is at Spain's disposal when-
ever she seeks it frankly and sincerely,
but her game is clearly lost and it is
quite out of the question to define as
honorable peace one restoring the
statu quo"
The Daily Chronicle remarks: Add.
ed to the other dangers was the danger
of sharks. The incident gives fresh
luster to the renown of the American
navy.
The Daily News says:
''All English sailors will join with
the Americans in admiration of this
exploit under the point blank fire Of
the Spanish batteries. Whether the
Merrimac was intended to be sunk OF
to clear fair way through the mines
can not affect the praise due
men who heroically volunteered
to face almost certain death il
the service of their country. If the
United States can count on self-sacri
fee of that kind in great emergencies
the Santiago forts will be powcrless t.
prevent Adm. Sampson reaching tht
Spanish squadron, should that meas
ure seem good to him."
The article proceeds to argue tha
it Is premature however to suppost
that the channel is absolutely CLOSED
or that it would be impossible to de
stroy the hulk. 1t says:
English torpedo officers could de
wise many methods of floating ou
dynamite charges, unless the hulk lie
far outside Moro Castle, in whicl
case it can not be blocking the channe
completely. If the Merrimac's mast
and tunnels are still visible, she sunl
somewhere near the five fathom mari
and has left the deep channel clear"