The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-08

NOOPy 4 Is HI 1880 Dy <ASSOCtdACA ILcSSJ
Off Juragua. July C Evening", by the
Associated Press Dispatch Boat Wanda
to Port Antonio. July 7, via Kingston.
Jamaica, July (7:30 a. m.)-Assis tant
Naval Constructor Richmond P. Hobson.
of the flagship New York. and the seven
seamen who with him sailed the collier
Merrimac into the channel Of the harbor
of Santiago de Cuba on June last and
sunk her there. were surrendered by the
Spanish military authorities today in ex-
change for prisoners captured by the
American forces.
Hobson and his men were escorted
through the American lines by Captain
Chadwick of the New York. who was
awaiting them. Every step Of their jour
ney was marked by the widest demonstra-
tions on the part of the American SOL
diers, who threw aside all semblance of
order, scrambled out of the intrench-
ments, knocked over tent guys and other
camp paraphernalia in their eagnerness
to see the returning heroes. and sent up
cheer after cheer for the men who had
passed safely through the jaws of death
to serve their country.
The same scenes of enthusiasm were
repeated upon the arrival of the men at
the hospital station and at our base at
Juragua. HObsOn, who reached there IN
advance of his companions, was taken on
board the New York Immediately. The
fagship's decks were lined with officers
and men, and as Hobson clambered up
her side and stepped on board his vessel
the harbor rang with the shouts and
cheers of his comrades, which were re-
echoed by the crews of dozen trans
ports lying near by.
Hobson ha dlittle TO say in regard TO his
experiences, except that he and his com
panions had been well treated by the
Spaniards and that they were all in ex-
cellent health.
The Spanish authorities consented this
morning to exchange Hobson and his
men, and truce was established for the
purpose. The place selected for the eX-
change was under a tree between the
American and Spanish lines, two-thirds
Of a mile beyond the intrenchments oc-
cuped by Colonel Woods Rough Riders,
near General Wheeler's headquarters, and
in the center of the American line.
The American prisoners left the Reina
Mercedes hospital, on the outskirts of
Santiago de Cuba, where they had been
confined, at 2:45 this afternoon, in charge
Of Major Irles, a Spanish staff officer, who
speaks English perfectly. The prisoners
were conducted to the meeting place on
foot, but were not blindfolded Colonel
Jacob Astor and Lieutenant Miley, ac-
companied by Interpreter Maestro, were
in charge of the Spanish prisoners. These
consisted of Lieutenants Amelio-Volez
and Aurelus, German belonging to the
Twenty ninth regular infantry, who were
captured at FL Caney on Friday last and
Lieutenant Adolph Aries of the First pro-
visional regiment of Barcelona, one of the
most aristocratic military organizations
of the Spanish army, and fourteen nom
commissioned officers and privates.
Lieutenant Aries and a number of men
were wounded in the fight at Ell Caney.
The Spanish prisoners were taken through
the American lines mounted and blind
folded.
The meeting between Colonel Aston and
Major Irles was extremely courteous but
very formal and no attempt was made by
either OF them to discuss anything but
the matter in hand.
Major Irles was given his choice of
three Spanish leutenants for Hobson. and
was also Informed that he could have all
of the fourteen men in exchange for the
American sailors. The Spanish officer Sc
lected Lieutenant Aries and the other two
Spanish officers were conducted back to
Juragua.
It was then not later than4 o'clock, and
just as everything was finished and the
two parties were separating, Irles turned
and, courteously enough but in tone
which indicated considerable defiance,
and gave his hearers the impression that
he desired hostllities to be renewed at
once, said:
Our understanding IS. gentlemen, that
this truce comes to an end at O'Clock"
Colonel Astor looked at his watch,
bowed TO the Spanish officer without max
ing a reply and then started back slowly
10 the Tmerican lines. with Ho5soa and
his companions following
The meeting Of the two parties and the
exchange OF prisoners had taken place
in full view OF both the Tmerican and
Spanish soldiers who were intrenched
near the meeting place. and the keeaest
iuteres; was taken in the episode.