Evening star., 1898-07-07
Secretary Long Condemns Reports
About the United Service.
SHAFTER REPORTS HOBSON'S RELEASE
Cubans Have Not Killed Spanish
Prisoners.
INITIATING THE MERRIMAC

Secretary Long does not hesitate to con-
denim in the most positive manner the
statements that have been published to
the effect that i'll feeling exists between
the army and the 1avy.
He said today:
There is not the slightest foundation
for the suggestion of anything but the
best feeling between the army and the
navy Each rejoices in the splendid hero
ism and success of the other. They are
ready to cooperate for the honor of the
flag at any time and anywhere. As to the
two departments, the War Department is
always ready to help the Navy Depart
ment if it should reed anything, and the
Navy Department has been very glad to
aid the War Department by the loan of it's
best scouting vessels for transports and
in every other way"
The War Department this morning re-
ceived the following from Gen. Shafter
announcing the exchange of Lieut. Hob
son and his men:
PLAYA DEL ESTE, July Z.
Secretary Of War, Washington:
Fifth Army Corps Headquarters, Cuba
July 6.-LieIt. Hobson and all of his men
have just been received safely in exchange
TOR Spanish officer and prisoners taken
by United States. All in good health, ex-
cept two seamen, convalescing from remit
tent fever.
(Signed) "SHAFTER
Major General, Commanding"
No Massacre of Spanish
The War Department this morning post
ed the following dispatch from Gen Shaf-
ter, received in response TO an inquiry as
to the reported killing of Spanish prisoners
by Cubans:
PLAYA DEL ESTE, July 7.
Hon. Secretary of War, Washington:
Dispatch as to killing prisoners by
Cubans absolutely false. No prisoners
have been turned ever to them, and they
have shown no disposition to treat badly
any Spaniards who have fallen into their
hands.
sHAFTER,
Major General, Commanding.
Imitation of HObsOn.
Admiral Sampson has telegraphed the
Navy Department as follows from his flag
ship New York, off Santiago dated yester-
day:
about midnight last night the Reina
Mercedes was seen by the Massachusetts,
which vessel had a searchlght on the
channel, coming out of the harbor of San
tiago. The Massachusetts and Texas OPEN
ed fire, and the Spanish vessel was sunk
opposite Estrella Cove. / am inclined to
think it was the intention to sink her In
the channel and TINS block the harbor en-
trance. If SO. this plan was defeated by
the fire of the ships, as she lies on the
edge of the shore.
Spanish Officers Desert.
Advices received here this morning from
Gen. Shafter announced that a number of
high Spanish officers are deserving across
the lines at Santiago into the American
camp This act is regarded here as highly
significant of an early surrender.
More Artillery for Shafter.
With a view Of giving Gen. Shafter the
benefit Of more heavy artillery, orders were
today issued for the immediate departure
of four heavy batteries to Tampa for trans
portation to Santiago at once. These bat
teries are K of the 7th Artillery, at Willet's
Point; d Of the 4th Artillery, at Fort Nc
Henry, Md; and batteries H and K, Of the
I'd Artillery. at Fort Adams and elsewhere
in Rhode Island. Rush orders were given
to each of these batteries, and 1t is ex-
pected that they will start for Tampa to-
day.