The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-23
HOBSON BLUSHED.
So Enthusiastically Was He Wei
coined in Washington

coined IN w aSh1ngEOn-
Washington, July 29-The most agree
able event of yesterday was the arrival
at the navy department of Lieutenant
Hobson, the hero of the Merrimac.
The officials were not informed of his
approaching visit except through the
newspapers. Consequently, when he
reached the railway station there was
no official there to meet him and his
reception was truly democratic He
succeeded in escaping observation as he
passed through the train shed, coat and
umbrella in hanl and followed by
porter proudly carrying his baggage,
but before he emerged from the station
some one spied him and in a moment
the station resOunded with vOciferous
shouting.
The cry of "Hobson, Hobson," rang
out, and the crowd closed in about him,
shaking his hands and pushing him
about until he was rescued by the police
and escorted to his carriage. He stop
ped long enough to announce that all
of the men who formed the crew OF the
Merrimac were safe and in the best of
health and that after he had made his
report to the navy department he eX-
pected to return Immediately to New
York.
The officer was driven at once to the
Army and Navy club, and after brush
ing himself up he drove over to the
navy department. This time he carried
with him under his arm large official
envelope Wn1cn pore IN the corner the
inscription North Atlantic squadron"
AS he approached the Office of the sec
rotary of the navy there enSued another
demonstration. A large crowd had
gathered about the doorway and the
hearty welcome it gave the young Off
Ger brought bushes to his cheeks. Sec
rotary Long came out OF his private
Office and, graSping HObSOn with bOth
hands, said with sincerity: Lieutenant,
am glad-Very glad to see you" Ihen
he drew him into his office, where the
lieutenant was introduced to Assistant
Secretary Allen and was greeted by
Captain Crowninshield, Captain Brad
ford and Pension Commissioner Evans,
who happened to drop in. He spent
half hour in conference with the sec
rotary and then returned to the club for
rest.
Secretary Long stated that Hobson
did not bring the long expected report
from Admiral Sampson and his brother
officers on the destruction of the Ger
vera fleet. The exact purpose Of his
visit was explained by the following or
der, under which Lieutenant HObSon
had come to the United States:
United States Flagship New York,
First Rate, off Santiago de Cuba, July
Il. 1898:
''Sfr:-You will proceed north in the
st. Paul to New York, thence you will
! proceed to Washington and report to
] the secretary of the navy and acqua1nt
him with the object of your visit, as
set forth in my letter to him of this
date, regarding the work upon the
Cristobal Colon. Explain to him fully
the position and condition of that snip
| and receive his instructions regarding
/ it.
''Second-Be as expeditions as possible
in bringing the matter to a termination,
in order that, if it is practicable to do
so, this fine ship may be saved TO the
| United States navy.
.sThird-When this duty is completed
you will ask for orders from the secre-
! tary of the navy. Otherwise you Will
| return to duty on board this ship.
-@9f'7 Nv. T. SAMPSON,
| Rear Admiral, I. s N.
| Commander in Chief Naval Force
| North Atlantic Squadron
| Naval Constructor r. P. HObsOn, U.
/ S. Navy, L. S. s, New York"
Lieutenant HoDsOn went to the White
| House to pay his respects to the presi-
! dent, Secretary Long accompanying
| him. The president received them in
| the cabinet room. He gave Lieutenant
/ HobsOn a most cordial greeting and paid
/ him a high tribute for what he regard
/ ed as one of the most conspicuous acts
! of gallantry in the history of naval
! warfare.
! After remaining with the president
for half an hour the secretary and
/ Lieutenant HObSOn left the White
! House, the former going to his home
and the latter to the Army and Navy
! club. While at the White House Hob
son gave his autograph to half a dozen
/ or more solicitors, although he re-
/ marked that he could not imagine why
! they desired it.
While discussing the object of his
visit here, Lieutenant Hobson Informed
/ Secretary Long that two of the Span
! ish vessels of Cervera's squadron, the
| Maria. Mercedes and the Infanta Ma
! ria would be saved certainly and he ex-
! pressed the utmost confidence that the
/ ChristObal Colon could be saved also
With respect to the Colon, Lieutenant
/ Hobson differs from the Wrecking ex-
! pertS who were sent from the United
! States to float the vessel if possible
| They are of the opinion that the Colon
! cannot be saved. They think she is 50
! badly damaged both by the shots from
| the fleet and by having been run upon