Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-07-08

a truce was established for that pur.
pose. The place selected for the ex-
change was under a tree between the
Spanish and American lines, and
two-thirds of a mile beyond the en-
trenchments occupied by the Rough
Riders, near General Wheeler's head.
quarters, the center of the American
line. The American prisoners lett the
Reina Mercedes hospital at 2:45 this
afternoon in charge of Major Irles,
the Spanish staff officer. The pris-
oners were conducted to the meeting
place afoot, not bllndfolded.
Colonel John Jacob Astor and
Lieutenant Milloy we're in
charge Of the. Spanish prisoners.
These consisted of Lieutenant Amelio
Volez and Aurelius, German,
belonging TO the Twenty.ninth regu-
lar infantry, who was captured at Ell
Guaey Friday last, Lieutenant
Adolph Ares, of the first provisional
regiment Of Barcelona, fourteen nom
commissioned officers and one private
The Spanish troops were taken
through the American lines, mounted
and bindfolded.
The meeting was extremely courte-
Gus and very formal, and no attempt
was made on either side to discuss
anything but the matter in hand.
Irles was given the choice of three
lieutenants in exchange for Hobson,
apd also informed that he could have
all fifteen men exchanged for the
American sailors. The Spanish Of
ficers selected Lieutenant Aries. The
other Spanish officers were conducted
back to Jaragua, and then not later
than O'Clock Tres courteously enough,
but in a tone which indicated con-
siderable defiance, said:
"Our understanding is, gentleman
that this truce comes to an end at
o'clock"
Colonel Astor looked at his watch,
bowed at the Spanish officer without
making any reply and started slowly
back to the American lines with Hob
son and his companions.
The meeting and exchange of pris
oners had taken place in full view of
both the American and Spanish SOL
diers entrenched near the meeting
place. The keenest interest was
taken in the occasion.
The escort from the flagship had
brought change CT clothing and new
uniforms for Hobson and all of his
men, and they were given short res
pite to change their apparel.
Before leaving for the coast, Lieu
tenant Hobson had an interview with
General Shafter.
To the correspondent Of the Asso-
ciated Press, Hobson declined to talk
of his adventure on the Merrimac,
stating that he must first make his
report to Admiral Sampson, but as to
his experience in Santiago he said:
During the first four days we were
prisoners of war, and were confined in
Moro castle, and L assure you that
these we're extremely uncomfortable
and disagreeable days. The Spanlards
did not exactly ill-treat us, but it took
them some time to recover from the
shock, caused by what most of them
considered our YanFee impudence in
trying to blockade their harbor. AS
a rule the officers and men, who came
into contact with US, were gruff in
speech and sullen in manner. For
Admiral Cervera 1 have nothing but
highest admiration. His action, in
informing Admiral Sampson of our
safety, regard as that of kind
hearted, generous man. and a chival-
rous officer. He repeatedly spoke to
me Of his admiration for what he
called one of the most daring acts in
naval history, though l am sure we
were not entitled to the commend
alton we received, for there we're hum
drens of other men in our ships who
would have been glad to undertake to
do the same thing.
"While we were in Moro Castle, we
were naval prisoners, but at the end
of four days we were transferred to
the Jurisdiction of the army, and were
removed to the Reina Mercedes hos
pital on the outskirts of Santiago,
where we remained until yesterday.
We knew but little If what was going
on in the city, though, of course, we