The times., 1898-05-08
"HURRAH FOR DEWEYr'
The President Gives Way to Enthus-
issm Over the Victory.


There were number of conferences
at the White House yesterday. in which
the President was closeted with prOmi-
nent statesmen. AS soon as the official
news OF the great and glorious victory
achieved by the American arms under the
mastery direction of the 'honored Dewey,
was received there was a rush to the
Executive Mansion of many of the per-
sonal friends of MIR. Mckinley. who con-
graduated him upon the completeness
of the victory, as well as upon the fact
that so capable a man as the redoubt-
able Dewey was in charge of the squad
ron which did such yeoman work for
'Old Glory in the Far Eastern seas.
President Mckinley communicated to
several of his personal friends that ii
was his intention to advocate the promo
ton of Dewey, and there was great salts
faction at the intelligence.
Among those who called were Senators
Teller Hawley, Thurston and Allen and
Representatives Bankhead, Lands, Hull
and Boutelle. Mr.. Caffery was in the list,
but it is not stated that he Joined in the
congratulations.
Shortly after the receipt of the first dis
patch from Admiral Dewey Secretaries
Long. Alger and Bliss arrived at the
White House and they engaged the atten-
ton of the President for the major part
OF the remainder of the day. The first
official news the President received was
brought to him by Secretary Long short
ly before IL o'clock.
When the President realized that the
lons-eXpected news was all that could be
desired, and that it was no longer a mat
ter of unofficial speculation as TO the re-
suit of the engagement which hallowed
the Sabbath on May ]. he gave utterance
to his feelings by eXclaiming heartily and
with such emphasis as TO cause his tones
| to be heard in an outer room:
"Hurrah for Dewey! / tell you, Long.
we haven't got his equal in the Navy,
have we?"
Secretary Long. who had lighted up the
darkness of the corridors but few mo-
ments before with the effulgence of his
| smile, acquiesced. and the two men
! laughed together like boys
Not a man killed on our side of the
guns. either" added Mr.. Mckinley, when
| the first blush of their joy had passed
| over. well, well. The days of great
| naval commanders by no means has
! passed.
! Later, when the last Of the dispatches
as printed in The Times exclusive ex-
] tra-was received from Dewey. the Pres
! ident suggested that now was as good
/ time as any TO do what il was in his
/ heart to do, and in the response which
was sent, throbbing with the appreciation
! OF the President of a great republic and
| of that of its people there was contained
! a sentence which was indorsed by every
American. 1t read:
! In recognition. he Che President) has
! appointed YOU acting admiral and will
| recommend a vote of thanks to you by
| Congress. as foundation for further
! promotion"
| IT was decided at the councils which
/ were held Immediately after the news was
! received from Dewey that he be instruct
! ed TO hold TO his position before Manila
/ and when the opportunity presented itself
+; to take possession of the Philippines in
the name of the United States Relief
, was ordered TO be dispatched instantly 10
/ the Philippines.
Senator Thurston of Nebraska was
seen by a Times reporter at the White
! House. lie said that ne did not think
/ that there was much of prospect of the
annexation of Hawaii by the United
| States.
II do not think that this Government
| Is justified in going over 10 that part of
/ the Pacific Ocean to acquire territory
he said. The matter of annexation, in
my estimation. is largely one of news
paper speculation. and l do not believe
that anything will come of il"
Major-Gens. Lee and Wheeler were
callers at the White House yesterday
Gen. Lee said to a Times reporter that he
had heard nothing regarding his com
mand. and that he did not know where
he was to go. They were admitted 10 the
Cabinet room. where they had a confer
ence with the President. 1t was not stat
ed that any light was thrown upon the
subject as a result of the interview.
The President passed a quiet evening.
1t was plainly to be seen that he was
relieved that the strain of mind under
which he had Iabored throughout the
week was at an end and that he was in
t.nsely happy as a consequence of the
good news from Manila. There were few
callers of consequence and much of the
Presidents time was passed with his fam
ily.
Secretary Long made his customary
evening cal J and he remained with the
| President but a few moments. He told
his chief that no further news had been
received from the Philippines. nor in
deed from any other of the leading points
In the theater of possible action. Mr.. Me
Kinley, upon the departure of Secretary
Long settled himself dow naltogether to
the enjoyment of home life. which he has
denied himself almost altogether during
the last week.