The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-05
The hero Is q
llOrth CarOlinian
Reward Sure and Adequate is Awaiting These American
Heroes Medals and Promotion are the Least
They can Expect at the Hands
Of Grateful People,
end and forced to surrender to samp-
Ram Albenarle,


son.
The naval situation is believed to be
entirely satisfactory Knowing the
Spanish reports of the clearing away
Of the Merrimac. it is not believed for
an instant that Sampson will submit to
losing this so dearly purchased advant-
age. and he can be depended upon 10
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
he free to detach most of his powerful
squadron for service elsewhere. This
means. according to common belief, an
important attack upon San Juan. Peace
signs have been multiplying; there has
been a notable change in the tone Of
the Spanish press, although up to this
moment no advices have been made TO
the State Department by any of the
European powers There is an indefin-
able suggestion in the air that any mo-
ment may bring forth ovcrtures of this
kind. For this reason the campaign
against Porto Rico probably viii be hur-
ried in oEder to insure its possession
bv the United States before peace is
attained.
OF the Cadiz fleet no fear is enter
tanned Knowing the many published re-
ports, probably all ascrihable to Spanish
ingenuity. 10 the effect that this fleet
has already started for either the West
Indies or the Philippines. ii can he
stated that the government has infor-
nation. which it regards rs reliable. that
the Spanish feet had not left Cadiz up
to yesterday Meanwhile army prepara
~. 4 IL. oh
sign Of cessation.
To-day bids were opened for sl1pply-
ing one million and Il half cartridges
two more transports were purchased.
and arrangements were made to use fonr
Of the largest Spanish ships captured as
priyes for the transportation Of troops to
Cuba and Porto Rico.
RICHMOND PEARSON HOBSON.
Naval Constructor Hobson, whose
name is on every lip in Washington to-
night is well known at the Navy De
partment, as he served in the Bureau
of Construction for years. His asso-
ciates regarded him as combining abii-
ty as student with the eccentricity Of
ten accompanying genius. 1t was re-
marked by these officials this afternoon
that Hobson WAS n man who held naval
regulations concerning matters of form
in contempt, and was obIivious to oflicinl
rules. These daredevil characteristics
were offset. however, by his recognized
ability in all branches of naval science.
| particularly naval architecture. Al.
though the youngest man in his class NJ
| the Naval Academy. he graduated at
! the head of the class, a signal honor
! which led to his being sent by the
/ government for II course in the naval
| schools of Europe Here he gained
| new honoTs. On returning to this count
| ry he served with the Department. and
/ also saw sea service and about yeal
| ago became instructor in naval architec.
/ ture ut the Naval Academy at Anna.
/ polls.
When the war broke out he asked foi
| active service. and at the same time
| insisted on taking the three naval en-
! dets of his class with him, in order that
] they might gain the advantage of prac
tical experience on ship board during
! the war. AS result he and his three
| cadets were assigned for service on Ad
miral SIMPSONS flagship. 1t was the
I prevailing expression at the Department
tonight that Hobson was just the char
acter to take the lead in such a hazard
Z GUS ~ Iedl as lIldL JI the SINKING OF INT
Meuimac. 1T is presumed tha
Admiral Sampson chose him from anon.
many volunteers. lit is Il fact that his
expert knowledge Of naval construction
would permit him to sink the Merrima,
in such position as to be the most If
| fective in blockading the harbor.
! From naval sources full sketch O
! Constructor Hobson was secured as fol
lows:
Richmond Pearson Hobson. born An
gust II. 1870. at Greensboro. Hal
county, Alabama. where he was gradual
cd from the Southern University mt III,
head of his class. Appointed to the
Naval Academy on competitive examina
tion on May 1, 1885, and although thc
Youngest man of the class graduated
at its head in 1899 His first cruise wa'
Z ~ the SQUADRON of evolution on 1h'
Hagship Chicago. with Admiral Walker
IN the Mediterranean. Later he mad,
/ cruise To Brazil. when the flag of th'
4 new Brazilian republic was recognized
lie was ordered to special cours,