The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-21
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Special to The St. Paul Globe.

Special to The st. Paul Globe.
WASHINGTON, June 2O.-The prob
able fate of Lieut. Hobson, the gallant
young American officer who led the
brave little band that sent the Merri-
mac to the bottom at the entrance to
Santiago harbor, is almost absorbing
public attention here today. Even the
movements of the invading army un-
der Gen. Shafter cannot dwarf the in
terest taken in the Merrimac heroes.
During the day there was received
from Commodore Watson a telegram
announcing that Capt. Gen. Blanco
had refused to exchange the prisoners.
Later in the day semi-official kilograms
stated that the Spanish premier when
interrogated on the subject, had said
that nothing had been decided in re-
gard to the disposition to be made Of
Hobson and his comrades. A sugges-
ton from F. w. Amsden, the British
consul at Santiago, that a ransom
be offered for the release of the men
may be acted upon by the authorities
here.
WHEREABOUTS OF SHAFTER
The probable whereabouts of Gen.
ly share of discussion in and outside
of official circles today. 1t is believed
that the government is in possession
of information it does not deem ex-
pedient to make public, though it Is
possible that the expedition has not
yet reached the coast of Santiago prov
ince. There was well defined rumor
in circulation this afternoon to the ef-
feet that the advance guard of the
So fter fleet had arrived off Santiago
and had communicated with Admiral
Sampson. This rumor was given con-
siderable credence in semi official Cir
cles, and was not denied by those who
are in position to know just how much
ground there is for it. At any rate,
Gen. Shafter will be heard from before
many hours elapse. That is the con-
sensus of opinion in government cir
cles, and on the outside as well.
AMERICAN TROOPS SUPERIOR.
While there Is naturally a certain
amount of anxiety in official circles as
to the campaign in Santiago province
yet there is firm belief that the
American soldiers are so far superior
to the Spaniards that there will be lit
tie difficulty in capturing Santiago
city once the troops are landed. There
are in the Spanish stronghold fully 49,
900 men-an army equal, numerically,
tc that commanded by Gen. Shafter
But the Spaniards are believed to be
disheartened and lily prepared to meet
and successfully cope with the Amer
lean troops. In bushwhacklng they
-l,o
dash that characteristics the American
trooper, and when it comes to a battle
in which the contending armies are
on anything like an equal footing, it Is
thought there can be but one result
victory, quick and decisive, for the
American arms.
INSURGENTS ARE COMMENDED.
There is no longer any doubt enter
tanned by the government as to the
practical value of the Cuban insur-
gents as allies. They are just begin
ming to take an active part in the war.
Their action at Guantanamo was of a
character that has been recognized
and heartily commended by officials
here. The Cubans are expected to prove
valuable to Gen. Shafter in many
ways. They are thoroughly familiar
with the country, know the methods
pursued in attack and defense by the
enemy and can be depended upon to
fight rather than run. That was con-
Vincingly shown at Guantanamo It is
argued that the insurgents would have
accomplished much more than they
have had they been possessed Of a
navy. Now that the United States has
provided that necessary auxiliary the
Cuban forces that have held the Span
ierds away from the interior can be
depended upon to render a good ac-
count at Santiago.
THE MANILA EXPEDITION.
The probable arrival of the first Ma