The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-06
HoBsoN PRAISED IN LONDON.
Cervera's Squadron Believed to BE
Unprepnred for War.

London June 6, 6 a. Mall the papers
refer in terms of the highest praise TO
Naval Constructor Hobsons daring ex-
plot at Santiago de Cuba. but some
doubts are thrown on 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 Admiral Cervera has de-
liberate intention to stay at Santiago,
therefore to open the channel would be of
very little use to him. It 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 ever shipped
her big guns at all.
"Hobson's exploit is one of which the
American navy may Wen be proud The
idea that the wreck can be removed by
the use to a little dynamite is opposed 10
all experience. Madrid describes the af-
fair as brilliant Spanish victory, but
from dreams of such victories there is an
unpleasant awakening.
Admiral Cerveras period of evasion Is
now SuQGti dLtlt bGyOilD CIGdliilB an uill Cd
sOning panic in America, he has accom-
plished nothing. The naval game in the
West Indies remains played out and lit
tie can be said of il, except that events
have confirmed strictly to law, and that
no new expected development can be
traced. Santiago now invites capture by
military action, and Admiral Cervera's .
ships, unless scuttled, cannot avoid cap
ture."
The Times. commenting edltorally on
the exploit, says: "The perilous opera.
ton was executed with splendid gallan-
try by a little band of volunteers, who al
most miraculously escaped. The destruc-
ton and fall of Santiago are now only a
question of time, with the disappearance
of all hopes founded upon the Spanish
fleet.
SPANS sympathizers recognize that
her case is hopeless, and America viii
not distress herself much about sucn
warnings as that of the st. Petersburg
Novosti until the combination assumes
more tangible form than there IS any
prospect of at present.
Peace is at Span's disposal whenever
she seeks 1t frankly and sincerely, but
her game is clearly lost, and IL Is quite
out of the question to define as 'honora-
bic peace one restoring the statu quo"
The Daily Chronicle remarks: Added
to the other dangers was the danger of
sharks. The incident gives fresh luster
to- the renown of the American navy"
The Daily News says: "All English sail
ors will join with the Americans in admi-
ration of this exploit under the point blank
fire 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 heroic
ally volunteered to face almost certain
death in the service of their country. If
the United States can count on self-sacri-
flee OF that kind in great emergencies the
! Santiago forts win be poWerless to prevent
Admiral Sampson reaching the Spanish
| squadron, should that measure seem good
| to him.
! The article proceeds to argue that II Is
! premature, however, to suppose that the
| channel is absolutely closed or that II
! would be impossible to destroy the hulk.
! II says: English torpedo officers could
! devise many methods of floating out dy-
! Mantle charges, unless the hulk lies far
! outside MORO Castle, in which case II can
| not be blocking the channel completely If
| the Merrifnacs masts and tunnels are still
| visible, she sunk somewhere near the i've
! fathom mark and has left the deep channel
| clear
"In any case the feat does not end the
war. If the channel is blocked It is
| equally so to the ingress of American yes
| sels and Admiral CerVera's squadron can
materially assist in the defense against a
land attack. It is therefore, probable
that the American troops are not intended
for Cuba, but for Porto Rico, the seizure
Of which would be an effective check upon
Spain's naval enterprise, as cutting off
| her last naval base"