The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-08-10
sAnoRs MAY 90 noME.
The Government oncrs to Parole Them II
spain WIN Furnish transportation.

New York. August "a special 70 the
Tribune from Washington says:
The United States has magnanlmously
offered To parole the 100 spanish naval
prisoners taken at the destruction OF
Admiral Ceyeras fleet whenever Spain Is
ready to repatriate them.
with the exception Of the officers, who
are enjoying American hospitality within
the limits Of Annapolis. the bulk Of these
prisoners are confined 70 the naval sta
lion AT Portsmouth, where they have the
liberty Of a large picturesque island and
are comfortably quartered and fed in
temporary buildings erected especially for
their use. The ofier OF this government
was made regardless OF the approaching
culmination Of peace negotiations and
simply with view Of sending home a
large number OF national guests who had
considerably Oyerstayed their welcome
AMI become burdensome upon the host.
These spaniards have suffered scar, ely
any OF the restraints usually Imposed
upon prisoners Of war. but have been
cared for 40 tenderly as n they had been
Americans. The most OF them were ter
ribly debiitated from priyations they had
suffered and a large percentage had
to be nursed and cared for in hospitals.
Instead Of turrass them over to Spain
In their pitiful condition they sought ref
uge from their burning ships and from the
Cubans aboard the American naval ves-
sells. they have been fully restored 10
health and vigor. and the ofrer 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 Am
eriean generosity to helpless enemy was
ofi,cially laid before the Madrid author
tiles through the representatives OF neu-
tral nations some days ago, no response
whatever has been received beyond the
simple acknowledgement. with the state
mont that 1t would receive consideration
There was every reason to believe iha'
spain would eagerly embrace the oppor-
tunlty to secure these prisoners, eonsu'u-
ting as they do the flower OF the naVa'
force AS an important source Of strength
TO the government at this time, In case
domestic dissatisfaction assumed dimen'
sions which could be controlled only win
much dlficulty. The ofler, however ala
not contemplate the gratuitous transpor-
tation OF the men to Spanish territory as
IN the case OF Torals garrison at sant'-
ago. but provided for their delivery on
neutral vessels. under guarantees oil
security In the ports OF the United States
and perhaps the Spanish delay is caused
by the difficulty OF securing single
transport at the present time
During the next two or three months
the prisoners will be source of little or
no concern to the United States, the
trouble and cost of maintaining them be-
ing confined to the furnishing OF food ana
clothing hut as winter approaches 1t Will
be necessary, as early as November l. TO
erect more substantial buildings for keep
ing them warm, or 1t may be necessary
to transfer them to the south, 1t is a
remarkable fact that Spain does not pos
sess single American prisoner to offer In
exchange for the number of Spaniards
who have been captured in the philippines
as well as in the West Indies and this
inequality makes the present ofrer of pa
role all the more charitable on the part of
this government.