The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-07
Of THE MERR|MAC
Show of What Stuff Our
Sailors are Made.
PEACE SIGNS In THE AIR

OldNO LIN lhE hlk
Lieutenant obs and Companions to
BE Exchanged-There Courage to b.
FittingIy Recognized-Their Action
Makes Satisfactory the Naval Situa.
uon-Spanish Prize Vessels TO be Used
as Transports-A Sketch of Lfeuten
ant richmond Pearson HObson.
Washington, une 4-From early
morning when the first newspaper
came m the streets containing the
brief statement of the sinking of the
Merrimac in Santiago harbor the Off
Gals of the navy department awaited
with intense interest official confrma-
ton n explanation from Admiral
Sampson.
In the afternoon the story came,
lacking in detail, it is true, but Civ
ing in rough outlines a sketch Of
American heroism that will live
through generations to, come. There
is no doubt that the name Hobson is
destined to be bracketed with that of
Gushing among Americas naval he
roes and, indeed, it was the opinion of
the majority of officers who scanned
the Associated Press accunot of the
sinking of the Merrimac that the ex-
plot surpassed in bri1liancy and as an
exhibition CT cool daring, even Cush-
1ngs famous attack upon the ram
| Albemarle.
Reward sure and adequate is await
ing these American heroes and Acting
Secretary Allen has so pledged him
self, after consultation with Secretary
Long, who is still confined to his room
by a lame leg. Medals and promotion
are the least they can expect at the
hands of a grateful people.
Moreover, they will not languish
in a Spanish prison if the authorities
here can bring about their release, for
half an hour after SIMPSONS bulletin
| was displayed on the walls of the ma
Wy department Colonel Carter, assist
ant adjutant general, had taken the
! preliminary steps to arrange for an
| change Of prisoners, and was learning
JUS how many Spanish officers and
enlisted men were still held in cap
tivity at Fort Mcpherson, Georgia,
where they had been taken from the
prizes captured by the American ma
| val vessels. In addition to these, the
navy has just turned over to the mil
itary authorities at Fort Monroe for
safe-keeping another Spanish officer
supposed to be of high rank, but who
has so far managed to conceal his
identity.
The officials are confident that they
have more than enough Spanish Off.
GERS to offer as ransom for the one
American officer and seven enlisted
men held by Cervera.
The officers, one and all, took note
Of the generous recognition by the
Spanish admiral of the bravery of the
Americans and his kindly treatment Of
the prisoners. and it can be guaran-
teed that the admiral'S lines will fall
in as pleasant places as any captive
has a right to expect should he be
overcome in the end and forced to
surrender to Sampson.
NAVAL SITUATION sATIsFAC-
TORY.
The naval situation is believed to be
entirely satisfactory. Notwithstand-
ing the Spanish reports of the clearing
away Of the Merrimac, it is not be-
lieved for an instant that Sampson
will submit to losing this SO dearly
purchased advantage, and he can be
relied upon to prevent the removal of
the obstruction. With the Spanish
fleet Gagged inside the harbor, there to
remain until they are starved out or
surrender, Sampson will be free to de-
tach most of his powerful squadron
for service elsewhere. This means,
according to common belief, immedi-
ate attack upon Sal Juan.
PEACE SIGNS.
Peace signs have been multiplying;
there has been a notable change in the
tone of the Spanish press, and al
though up to this moment no advices
have been made to the state depart
ment by any of the European powers,
there is an indefinable suggestion in
the air that any moment may bring
forth overtures of this kind. For this
reason the campaign against Porto
Rico probably will be hurried in order |
to ensure it's possession by the United
States before a is attained. VI
the Cadiz fleet no fear is entertained.
Notwithstanding the many published
reports, probably all ascribable to
Spanish ingenuity, to the effect that ,
this 1eeE has already started for either
the West Indies or the Philippines, it
can be stated that the government has
information, which it regards as re-
Ilaple, tndI the spanish meet Adu NJ
left CadiZ up to yesterday. Meanwhile |;
army preparations go forward without |
the slightest sign of cessation.
SPANISH PRIZES AS TRANSPORTS |
Today bids were opened for supply
ing 1900, 900 cartridges; two more
transports were purchased and ar
engagements to use four of the large
Spanish steamers captured as prizes,
for the transportation of troops to
Cuba and Porto Rico.
RICHMOND PEARSON HOBSON.
Naval Constructor Hobson, whose
name.is on every lip in Washington
tonight, is we'll known at the navy
department, as he served in the bu-
reau of construction for several years.
His associates regarded him as COM
great abality as a student, with