Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-06-08
The London Papers Comment on
the Daring Deed of Lieut..
Hobson and Men.
AMERICAN NAVY MAY WELL BE PROUD
The Perilous Operation Was Executed
With Splendid Gallantry by
Little Band of Volunteers.
Naval Game in West Indies Seems Play
ed Out--santiago Invites Capture by
Military Action Cervera's Fleet win
BE scuttied or Captured.

LONDON, June 6.--All the papers re-
fer in terms of the highest praise to
Naval Constructor Hobson's daring ex-
plot at Santiago de Cuba, but some
doubts are thrown upon the statement
that the Merrimac so completely blocks
the channel as the American reports
assert.
The Times in an article reviewing
the operations of the week says:
1t is most probable that Adm. Ger
vera has deliberate inten tion to stay
at Santiago. therefore, to open the
channel would be of very little use to
him. 1t seems clear that his squadron
was not prepared for war or fit for sea
when it left the Cape Verde islands,
and there is good reason TO doubt
whether the Cristobal Colon even ship
ped her big guns at all.
"Hobson's exploit is one of which
the American navy may well be proud.
The idea that the wreck can be re-
moved by the use of little dynamite
is opposed to all experience. Madrid
describes the affair as brilliant Span
ish victory, but from dreams of such
victories there is an unpleasant awak-
ening.
Adm Cervera's period of evasion is
! now ended and, beyond creating an
unreasoning panic in America, he has
accomplished nothing The naval
game in the West Indies seems played
out, and little can be said of il except
that events have conformed strictly to
law and that no new and expected de-
velopments can be traced. Santiago
now invites capture by military ac-
ton. and Adm. Cervera's ships, unless
scuttled. can not avoid capture"
The Times, commenting editorially
on the exploit, says:
The perilous operation was eSecut-
ed with splendid gallantry by little
band of volunteers who almost
miraculously escaped. The destruc-
tion and fall of Santiago are now only
question of time, with the disap-
rearance of all the hopes founded up
on the Spanish fleets.
"Spain's sympathizers recognize that
her case is hopeless, and America will
not distress herself much about such
warnings as that of the St Peters
burg Novosti Saturday. until the COM
binatioa assumes n more tangible
form than there is any prospect of at
present
Peace is at. Spain's disposal when
ever she seeks it frankly and sincerely,
but her game is clearly lost and it is
quite out of the question to define as
honorable peace one restoring the
statu quo"
The Daily Chronicle remarks: Add
ed to the other dangers was the danger
of sharks. The incident gives fresh
luster to the renown of the American
navy.
The ally News says:
"All English sailors will join with
the Americans in admiration OF this
exploit under the point blank fir. of
the Spanish batteries Whether the
Merrimac was intended to be sunk or
TO clear a fair way through the mines
can not affect the praise due
men who heroically volunteered
70 face almost certain death in
the service of their country. If the
United States can count on seRsacri.
fce OF that hind in great emergencies,
the Santiago forts will be powerless to
prevent Adm Sampson rsaahing the
Spenish squadron. ssould that meas
ure seem good to him."
The article proceeds to argue tina,
1t Is premature however TO suppose
that the channel rs absolutely clos.d
or that il would be impossible to do
stroy the huih. 1t says:
English torpedo officers could do
wise many methods OF floating ou'
dynamite charges, unlsss the hulk lsi
Tar outside Moryo Castle, IN which
case n can not be blocking the channs
completely. If the Ms<riunae's mast'
and tunnels are still visible, she sunl
somewhere near the FIVE fathom mari
anG has left the deep obsnnel clear"