The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-21
Hobson's Problematical Fate.

the fact that the fate of Lieutenant
Hobson and his brave companions is
not as certain or even determinable
as could be wished. Neither Admiral
Sampson nor Commodore Schley be-
lieves that Lieutenant Hobson and his
party have been killed, and there is
some consolation in the concurrence
of opinion Of the two commanders who
ought to know something definite upon
the matter if anybody on our side does.
We have seventeen prisoners taken at
Guantanamo, including a lieutenant,
besides a number in the United States
open for exchange or reprisal which
is some guaranty for Hobson's safety.
Reprisal is hardly the word. 1t Is
extremely doubtful, even if Lieutenant
Hobson and his men were massacred,
that we should resort to the barbaric
measure of retaliation by shooting
prisoners of war even under the utmost
prOVoCatiOn, At the same time it
should be borne in mind that if our
men taken prisoners of war are killed
by the enemy, retaliation is not only
iustifiable, but it is, in fact, no more
than preventive measure, one
which has received international sane
ton. The infliction of vicarious pun
ishment is indeed the only absolute
condition upon which war can be
waged. We only hope that the con-
sideration of such a Ehoulish subject
will not become necessary at Washing
ton.
The question is. Is Hobson at Fort
MORO or if he and his companions
have been removed, were they placed
in some position in the direct line of
fire from our guns, or were they placed
beyond probable range? We have
already heard enough of Spanish
honor and Spanish Chivalry and
Spanish irresponsiblity in the case
of the Maine. Every argument that
the wit of man could conceive was ad-
duced to eXculpate the Spaniards, ex-
cept the all important one of bringing
the miscreants implicated in the de-
struction of the ship to justice, or
what was more important, to the
If Hobson and his men We're removed
from Fort Moro and met their death
from our guns or otherwise not all
the water in the Atlantic will clear
Cervera and Blanco from being parties
to the crime Of this deliberate MUIR
der, and not all the powers of Europe
will prevent, Dramatically or actively,
our invasion of Spain and the lnnic-
tion of our hot and heavy revenge on
the responsible authors of such treach-
cry.
The flying of the Spanish flag half
1t is true it is the only fort that is
left intact at Santiago upon which a
flag might be hoisted. 1t is assumed,
with what foundation it is impossible
to say, that some Spanish officer high
in command may have lost his life
during the bOmbardment. This may
be so. But is it likely? It is hardly
probable. The flying of a flag half
mast high in the very field of action
would be the height of sentimentality,
if not of ludicrousness. We have
never heard of such a proceeding. 1t
is also possible, of course, that the
civil governor of Santiago or some
other civil dignitary high in Office may
have died or fallen under the fire from
our guns which may have led to the
lowering of the flag. But this is alto
gether conjectural. There is nothing
definite to go by.
If any i'll has befallen Hobson and
his men, the accidental theory of their
dispatch would be unquestionably
urged. If they were court rnartialed
and ordered to be shot it is not likely
that the Spanish flag would be hung
half mast in their remembrance. We
are inclined to believe that HObson
and his crew are alive and well, or
at least as we'll as may be expected
under the circumstances. In our
anxiety to learn their fate, we are
led perhaps TO attribute too much i'm
portance to the flag flying half mast
from Fort Moro. Within the next few
hours we may hear something definite
about Hobson and we anticipate moth
ing to his detriment. But if we have
lost Hobson. we should not alone have
lost the most conspicuous hero of the
war, but also the last vestige ofpity for
Spain, which thenccforth would learn
the emphasis OF aroused Yankee ven-
geance.
The Columbia has sailed again. The
good ship is spelling for a fight, and if
she shall not be allowed to have it out
with her enemy, she is bound to run
up against a friend. BY all means let
her so in search of the Cadiz squad
She ran ba trpEtad IN nm, III n