Evening star., 1898-06-20
SPAIN REFUSESTOEXCHANGE
Will Not Give Up Lieutenant Hobson and
His Associates.
Report of Commodore Watson to the
Navy partment-What is Said
in Oficial Circles.

The Navy Department received tele-
gram this morning from Commodore Wat
son, commanding the Cuban blockade
squadron off Havana, saying that he had
bse1 informed by the captain general that
the Spanish government rad refused to eX-
change Hobson and his fellow-prisoners.
The refusal of the Spanish officials to ex-
change Hobson caused disagreeable feel
ing here. While there is no positive obiga-
ton upon a belligerent to exchange prison
ers, yet it is universal practice in civilized
warfare. The regulations of the War De-
partment lay down specifically how the ex-
changes of prisoners are to take place, and
regulation 100 of general orders for the
government of armies in the field says:
THE exchange of prisoners of war is an
act of convenience to both belligerents. If
no general cartel has been concluded, 1t
cannot be demanded by either of them. A
balliserent is not obliged to exchange pris-
oners of war A cartel is voidable soon
as either party las violated it,
In the present case there has been no
general cartel that being the military term
by which the exchange of prisoners is reg
ularly and specifically carried out. Pe2d-
ing such 4 general arrangement, the bellig-
erents almost invariably carry out the eX-
change in anticipation of a cartel. 1t is
probable that cartel will follow at no dis
tant day and the exchange thereafter pro-
ceed number for number, rank for rank,
wounded for wounded, these being the gen.
eral conditions under the American regua-
tions
Spain Taking Advantage.
AS to Hobson. the authorities here are
convinced that the Spanish officials are TAX
ing advantage of the distinction accorded
to him in the United States. Under the
rules of war, a prisoner is valued solely by
his rank, and it is considered dishonora BILE
either to underestimate a prisoners rank in
order to cause a more advantageous ex-
change or to take a higher rank for the
purpose of obtaining better treatment. In
the case of Hobson, his rank as assistant
constructor. which is equivalent to lieu
tenant, Junior grade, should be the sole
basis for his exchange, yet it is obvious to
the authorities here that the Spaniards
hold him. not a lieutenant but as a
popular idol of the United States. In this
respect his detention ceases to be that of "a
prisoner of war and becomes one of host .
age The holding of hostages, usually for
ransom or other benefit, is mediaeval Gus
tom seldom, if ever, resorted to in modern
warfare. But even as a hostage Hobson
would be entitled to an exchange for pris-
oners of greater rank or greater number.
IL is being recalled that Admiral Cervera
Won praise the world over by his gallantry
in making the first offer to exchange Hob
son and his associates, so that the present
refusal to exchange him is the more unac-
countable- 1t is also recalled that when
Col Cortejo, confined at Fort Mcpherson
Ga, was exchanged it was strictly on the
basis of his rank, without consideration of
the incidental fact, most important to Gen.
Blanco, that Cortjo was d close relative of
Gen. Wey1er.
Half-MastinS the Flags.
The naval officials attach no significance
in the half-masting of the flags over Moro
Castle after the recent bombardment. as
indicating that Hobson and his associates
had perished. Morre is being spared TO
protect Hobson, and, moreover it is hardly
supposed that the Spanish flag would be
lowered out of consideration of an Ameri-
can loss. If the usual practices of war
fare were followed, Hobson and the Ameri-
cans would be removed to place of safe
ty instead of danger, for a prisoner of war
is entitled, under civilized usage, to pro-
lection against undue exposure or harsh
treatment The putting forward of pris-
oners as a shield is relic of barbarisnl.
AS rule the places where prisoners are
confined, where hospitals exist and where
works of art, libraries, church and charit-
able institutions are located, are designated
by a yellow flag, and commanders direct
their fire SO as to protect these points as
sacred. If Hobson is kept at Moro, either
to insure protection for that place TO
expose him to danger, it is breech of.the
rules of civilized warfare.