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Show "Hero cf the tl:rri: ::c" Is ' tenant Zcosc People Will Net Fcrgct x His Feats cf Osculaticn. ' Capt. Richmond Pearson Hob son, the "hero of the Merrlmac," who lectured last night, is Indignant that the press will not forget the -oscillatory exploits that followed his heroic action la bottling' bot-tling' up Cerveras fleet In the harbor of Santiago. ,. j Capt Hobson wu visited today by a Telegram reporter, who asked him to refute the story that he had kissed 231 t girls in St. Louis in one afternoon, and In one day on another occasion had . pressed the lips of 4SS blushing damsels it y his own. - , , , Jyctvt. Hobson threw, his head fade, tood erect, and said lndlgnantlyi Cays Story Is Eidiculous. . . Such a thing Is ridiculous la the extreme. ex-treme. I certainly cannot see the Interest Inter-est that could attach to such a story. Then with a look of intense displeasure, displeas-ure, with his head thrown back, and with bis shoulders squared, Capt. Hobson Hob-son said determinedly: N . "What little fire there was for all that smoke was simply a result of the conditions condi-tions that existed at that time. There was a wave of patriotic fervor sweeping over the entire country, and It was this that called forth such a demonstration. "Grant, Sherman and many others of .the Civil war heroes were subjected to similar treatment. "It was merely a sociological manifestation manifes-tation of patriotic fervor,' and bad no personal bearing whatever ZXs Is Weary of the Incident. "I am weary of the papers continually continu-ally harping on so small an Incident when there - are better things to talk about." : The young naval officer closed. that portion of the interview with a vigorous 'gesture, and with a peculiar light in his eyes. The interviewer felt uncomfortable uncomforta-ble and after moving uneasily in his seat and looking about f6r a vay of escape If the occasion demanded It, changed the line of Interrogations. Capt. -Hobson became affable In an instant when the new line of conversation conversa-tion was begun. He resumed :tbe look of mingled ease and alertness which characterizes the man. and Immediately Immediate-ly changed his tone from one of Intense feeling, to one of interest and pleasure. When asked as to the purpose of his tour, he said: AJrvocates a Greater Navy. 4 ' I am advocating a greater American riavy. I purpose to carry a propaganda to all sections of this country and am -endeavoring to show the value -of an irresistible navy.' This tour will cover the Southwest, the far West and the Pacific slope, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, " Arizona. California, Oregon, Washington, Washing-ton, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. Col-orado. 'In .the summer I will speak in the Middle West to the great Chautauqua aEctmblies. and in the winterjvlll lecture lec-ture before the lyceums in the East atfd in the New England States. ' Interest Is .Widespread.!..' .. "The interest with which the propa-' propa-' ganda Is meeting Is widespread, when the attention of the people is once brought to the Importance of a great navy. The facts- are convincing and there is no difference'of opinion. "'We need a great the greatest navy, to protect our manifold interests on our Immense coast-line, our maritime interests in-terests require protection and the respect re-spect which is due the Monroe doctrine mutt be enforced by such a navy. Our Philippine interests demand a magnificent magnifi-cent navy. "Most of all, America needs a navy so , that America's voice can be heard in the councils of the nations, for universal univer-sal peace and international equity, of which she is the exponent. For all these things the country requires naval supremacy among all the powers of the earth. ' America National Arbitrator. ' "America .is Isolated from other countries coun-tries is not surrounded by quarreling neighbors, and hence does not need a large army. Her natural position makes yfcr a natural arbitrator and her navy, enlarged as it should be, would.be tsreatest power for universal peace : thai? was ever known." "What do you purpose to do when you leave the lecture platform?" yWants to Go to Congress. t . "I shall sow the seed for a greater navy for one year, after which I shall go to Congress for one year If opportunity opportu-nity is afforded, me. If I am sent to Congress I shall endeavor to work out my ideals and put Into realization my hopes pf seeing this Nation the possessor posses-sor of the world's strongest. navy." When asked if he was perfectly satis-fled with the reward the Government gave him for his magnificent feat In' sinking the Merrimac, Capt. Hobson said: "Such a question has never entered my mind. The question of reward was most remote when I undertook the task. "It was simply a matter of privilege, io do any special work that would fall ito my lot. I considered it a rare privilege privi-lege to have the chance to do something Special for the country that has done tso much for me." LAXSDOWXE DECLINES TO MAKE STATEMENT. LONDON, April 29. Replying to a question put by Earl Spencer, TJberal Reader In the House of Lord as to whether he could lay on the table the dispatches In regard to the communications communica-tions reported to have passed between the Russian and Chinese- Governments, Govern-ments, Foreign Secretary Lansdowne said the question was now engaging the most serious attention of the Government. Govern-ment. There was some doubt regarding regard-ing actual facts of Russia's proposals In "regard to the evacuation of Manchuria, Man-churia, and he hoped the silence he was bound to maintain at present would not be of long duration. |