Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-08-10
NAVAL PRISONERS.
uucle Sam Offers to Parole 1900 Naval
Prisoners.

New YORK, Aug. lO.-A special to
the Tribune from Washington says:
The United States has magnani.
mOusly offered to parade 3 he 1900
Spanish naval prisoners taken at the
destruction Of Admiral Ceryera's feet
whenever Spain is ready to repatriate
them. With the exception Of the
officers, who are enjoying American
hospitality within the limits Of An
napolis, the bulk Of these prisoners
are confined 10 the naval station at
Portsmouth, where they have the
liberty OF large, picturesque island
and are comfortably quartered and
fed in temporary buildings erected for
their use. The offer Of this govern
ment was made regardless OF the ap-
preaching elimination Of peace nego
tlations, and simply with view Of
sending home a large number OF ma
tlonaI guests, who had consider
ably oYerstaJed their well
come and become burdensome
upon the host. These Spaniards have
suffered scarcely any OF the restraints
usually imposed upon prisoners Of
war, but have been cared for as
tenderly as II they had been Ameri-
cans. The most of them we're
terribly deblliated from privations
they had suffered, and large percen.
tage have mad TO be nursed and cared
for Ia hospitals. Instead OF turning
them over TO Spain in the pitiful
condition they sought refuge from the
burning ships aud from the Cubans
aboard the American navel vessels, |
they have been fully restored TO
health and Yigor, and the offer OF the
United States contemplates giving
them back TO Spain more able bodied
than they were when they left the
peninsula six months ago. Although
this striking instance of American
generosity to a helpless enemy was
laid before the Madrid
authorities through the representa-
tl7es Of a neutral nation.some days
ago, no response whatever has been
received beyond the simple acknowl-
edgement, with the statement that it
would receive consideration.
There was every reason to believe
hat Spain would eagerly embrace the
to secure these prisoners,
as they do, the flower of
yhe snaYal force, as an important
source OF strength to the government
it this time, In case domestic dis.
Iatlsfaction assumed dimensions
which could be controlled only with
much difficulty. The offer, however,
lid mot contemplate the gratuitous
OF the men to Spanish
,erritory, as in the case OF Toral's !
garrison at Santiago, but provided
,nly for their delivery on neutral yes
'els, under guarantees OF security in
,he ports of the United States, and [
perhaps the Spanish delay is caused
~ the difficulty OF securing single
transport at the present time.
During the next two or three
months the prisoners will be source
Il no little concern to the United
states, the trouble and cost of main
rining them being confined TO the
furnishing OF food and clothing, but
IS winter approaches 1t will be neces-
AIRY as early as November to erect {
more substantial buildings for keep :
ny them warm, or IL may be neces- .
AIRY 10 transfer them To the sOnth. r
3 is u remarkable fact thai Spain
oes not possess single American
risoner TO offer In exchange for the
lumber OF Spanlards who have been :
aptured 10 the Philippines as well :
$ in the West Indies, aud this In h
quality makes the present offer OF O
arole all the more charitable on the o
art Of this government. '