The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-16
TALK WITH CERyERA.
Blames BlancO for Driving Him TO Dis.
aster-COmmOdOre Parades Outspok.
en-Defeated Naval OfHeers Have no
Fear Of Their Treatment on Their
Return to Spain.

Fear Of Their Treatment on Their
Return to Spain.
washington Post, August 12th.)
Annapolis, August 10.-Admiral Pas
cual Cervera y Tepete, commander Of
the destroyed Spanish squadron, and a
number Of his officers who are now
prisoners at the naval academy, were
interviewed today by a correspondent,
for the first time since their arrival.
Admiral Cervera was reserved in his
comment on Spanish affairs, talking
freely only Of the published action Of
General Blanco, but his officers were
more outsponken. All We're earnest in
their praise Of Americans, and in ex-
pressing their gratitude at the treat
ment which they have received.
The interview was NOT secured with
out difficulty. Admira McNair. the SUI
perintendent of the academy, has been
beseiged with requests TO permit inter-
views with his distinguished guests.
and, considering h comfort of the ad-
miral, he has invariably refused them.
The correspondent succeeded, howev-
er, in obtaining a letter of intrOduc-
ton from Lieutenant Commander Ca
vanillas to Lieutenant Commander An
gel Cervera, son of the admiral, at the
Maryland House, and on going there
to present it, was Joined by Mr.. Otto
Lucius, who, with his wife, Mrs. Maria
DiaZ de ~Bulles de Lucius, a relative Of
Admiral Cervera, had visited the dis
tinguished S~paniardS at Annapolis, and
was just about to leave for Chicago.
Mr.. Lucius informed the correspond
ent and young Cervera that the admir-
al and several of his officers had gone
to the station with Mrs. Lucius, and
thither the party repaired. Admiral
Cervera, with his American cousin and
several officers, was standing outside
the station near the railroad tracks.
After the train had gone Admiral
Cervera said: II have not yet given
out any newspaper interview and the
time for me to speak will be when l
return to Spain"
He became interested, however, at
the mention of General Blanco's name,
and when informed of the alleged tel
egrams which lance was said to have
sent to Madrid, before and after the
defeat of the fleet, asking for Ger
vera's removal and ~pronouncing him
incapable, expressed great surprise and
indignation.
II have heard nothing of it," he de-
clared. eff Genera Blanco occupies his
time in t~raducing me 1 will pay no
more attention to him. I will have
- ~ az ~ liza hAIIu III a. ilioAi-
1 have no fears as to my reception in
Spain. After all this is over there will
be a council which will clear up every
thing. 1 tic my duty to the last mo-
ment, and have no fears as to what
the verdict of my people will be-"
COMMODORE PAREDES BLAMES
BLANCO.
Commodore Paroles, the second in
command of the unfortunate fleet, who
with his son, Angel G.. Paroles, vas
present, spoke up at this juncture, say
ing: But that is a shame. Blanco
himself gave US orders to leave at 4
o'clock, knowing very we'll that we
would go to certain destruction. He
wanted us first to leave in the dark
ness or the night before, but when
Admira Cervera explained the impos-
sibility of doing so, he insisted that
we go next day. We knew that we
were going to u destruction; not one
Of US expected to get out alive. But
WE Obeyed orders for the sake of the
Spanish flag, and to show that we, too,
were able at least to die for country
and honor"
Young Cervera ave a vivid descrip-
ton Of the impression which the bat
tie of Santiago had on him and sever
al of the yOunger officers. All felt, he
said, as though they had been con-
ueI1lcu TO uodCn anu were doomed 10
themselves execute the sentence. Not
one of them, after they cleared the
harbor and saw the American fleet,
expected to get ava alive, and they
directed their efforts to fighting rath-
err than flight.
Admiral Cervera said he had moth
ing but praise for Admirals Sampson
and Schley.
Of Americans and their treatment
here they speak in terms of warmest
praise. The young officers have found
their imprisonment far from rkSOm
They have been received in the society
of Annapolis, and on pleasant even
ings the young officers and young la
dies of the city assemble at the music
store of Miss Hays, on Church street,
where the erstwhile gallant tars divert
their new-fOund friends with music OF
guitar and piano.
One of the younger officers said:
when I came here I expected that
the people would hoot at US in the
street and attempt to mob us. Blu af-
ter our splendid treatment on the ST
Lou and Jul aeceIIion here all our
fears were set at rest. We nave al
changed our views regarding America,
and our hearts are full of thanks fol
the kind and generous treatment which
we "a received. We shall remember
always the pleasant moments we pass
ed as prisoners in the United States