The Columbus journal., 1898-06-22
THREE QUESTIONS OF INTEREST.
Public Attention Divided Between SHAFT
ter. Dewey and HOlDsOn.

THREE QUESTIONS OF INTEREST.
Public Attention Divided Between Shaf-
ter. Dewey aud Hobson.
WASHINGTON, June 2l.-Public at
tentioa yesterday was divided almost
evenly between three subjects, the
movement of General Skaters army,
the probability of reinfOrcements hav-
ing reached Dewey and the status of
Hobson. Up to late hour in the after
noon neither of the anxiOusly awaited
messages which were to announce the
arrival Of transports at Santiago or
Manila had reached the war or the navy
departments. 1t was not doubted, how
ever, that our vessels were off Santiago,
for although proceeding at q less speed
than the English steamer. which, ut
Kingston yesterday reported passing
them in the Windward passage Sunday
night, the distance which they would
be obliged to travel from the passage to
Santiago, is less than that travelled by
the British ship that came into Kingston
early in the afternoon. If they came
into Santiago they could report that fact
solely by dispatch boat running over
to Kingston, a l2-hour journey. it
II not doubted that just about the same
time Shafter appeared off Santiago the
Charleston came into Manila bay lead
ing the transports which bring nearly
5000 troops to Dewey's assistance.
Admiral May Wait.
The fact will not be known, however,
officially for two or three days, owing to
the distance to Hong Kong, the nearest
cable point. 1t is questioned here
whether with this force to hack him
Dewey viii feel justified in assaulting
Manila, or demanding its surrender.
Either course would involve heavy re-
sponsibilities for the admiral and it is
extremely desirable that no pretext he
offered European powers for interven-
tion At Manila under guise of protecting
the interest of their subjects. There
fore the admiral may wait another 10
days until the second installment of
troops reaches Cavite. In this case he
will probably Land the troops that ar
rive in Cavite, which is now completely
under the control of himself and the in
surgents, and employ the time in accus-
toming them to Manila methods and
climate.
During the day the dispatches an
nouncing that Captain General BlancO
had refused to exchange HObson and his
fellow prisoners created some indigna-
ton, which was modified later by Mad
nd advices quoting Sagasta as saying no
decision had been reached. Should
Spain adopt the cruel and unusual
course Of refusing an exchange the regu-
Ations Of the war department are suffi.
cient to r,eet the case. The following
principle is laid down: Retaliation
win never be resorted to in revenge, but
only Is . matter of protective retribu.
ton, and moreover, cautiously and ad-
that is to say, retaliation shall
only Be resorted to after careful inquiry
- to the real occurrence and the char
aceer Of the deeds that may demand
Tetxibuti0n. Inconsiderate or unjust
motives moving the belligerants further
and further from the mitigating rules of
regular warfare and by rapid strides
leads them TO the internecine wars of
savages."
LoaG Names New Ships.
It vas pointed out by leading officer
Of the army that the Spanish had most
to lose by . course of cruelty, which
wouA call for retaliation as the number
ct Spanish prisoners is far greater than
that Of American prisoners. There was
. wholesale christening at the navy de-
paztment when Secretary Long sup
pied names for no less than 35 war
caft. All Of these were provided for
in the last naval appropriation bill and
while contracts for their construction
have not been let, the advertisements
have been issued except in the case of
m0.it0rs and all the boats viii be under
way be60e cold weather. First In the
list Of big battleships is the Maine, for
congress has provided that that name
shall b continued in the list. The other
two ba&tleships win be the Missouri and
tie Ohio.
The first of the torpedo boats bears
tho name of brave young Ensign Bag
ley, who was killed on the WinslOw
under the guns Of Cardenas, the first
American naval officer to lose his life in
the var. -Four states have the privilege
q giving their names to monitors, Ar
knnsas. Connecticut, Florida and Wy
o0hg. The names given to the l6
torpedo boat destroyers are those Of