The times., 1898-07-21
THURSDAY. JULY p, 1898.
The Hour and the Man.

Assuming that the report Of a signi-
fcant colIoQUy between Admiral Won
Diedrichs and Capt Chichester. COM
manding the English cruiser immortal
ite. in Manila Bay. is correct, it is easy
10 understand the placid confidence
with which the Phil ppine situation has
all along been regarded at the White
House. Few words uttered in
the course of the century have
been as pregnant with meaning
as the brief answer of the
British captain to the German admiral.
when the latter desired to know what
the former would do in case the German
squadron should oppose American occu-
patton Of Manila AS the story goes,
Capt Chichester answered: THAT is a
matter known only to Admiral Dewey
and myself!''
AS such an understanding as that
indicated by the foregoing remark
would have been known TO the proper
persons in London and Washington be
fore it could have become effective be
tween the British and American naval
representatives, the inference is strong
that the integrity Of our position at Ma
Mia has been for some time underwrit-
ten through an agreement covering
common AnglO-American action in case
of certain emergencies. A presumption
of that character would account for the
quiet Indifference with which the Ger
man demonstration has been treated
and the discourteous course Of Won
nfaHsfahE 11F 1aFrA fFrCr
b. the facts, il would also explain why
President Mckinley has been able to
accept profuse assurances of German
friendly neutrality, in the face OF dis
crediting circumstances, with perfect
good humor and an absence of anxiety
as TO whether they We're entirely in
genuous. or only diplomatically amia-
bic and empty.
Given the existence of an understand
ing with Great Britain, and adding that
to the political and administrative as
well as the military greatness Of Admi-
raj Dewey, the government and people
of the United States well may consider
their interests and standing in the Phil
ippine and Ladrone archipelago as safe
and impregnable. After all. the prime
factor in the situation is Dewey.
In every great emergency that our
country has been called upon TO face.
from the affair at Lexington down to
the present time. the hand of Provi-
dence has been plainly seen grasping
and raising up the heroes and sages
necessary to national success or saliva
ton. The War Of Independence pro
duced a Washington. The birth throes
of constitutional government by and
for the people gave us a Jefferson The
greatest civil war of modern times
found a Lincoln, Lee and a Grant un-
consciously prepared TO make human
history ring for all time with the glories
Of American wisdom, courage and te-
nacity in the paths of duty and honor.
The war with Spain. although but
Just three months old today, has not
proved any exception to the rule that
the hour brings the man. Already it
has produced three men Of superlative
and recognized greatness. Nobly con-
spicuous among these there stands out
in splendid relief the heroic figure OF
the victor of Cavite. the Incompatible
Dewey Like the first military
hero Of the Republic. Dewey 5
achievements have been won al
most entirely upon the basis of his
own resourceful genius, magnificent
bravery. and bold, yet prudent, states
manship. His is the personality Of a
king among men. He is of the kind
that God Almighty commissions to car
ry the banner Of freedom, civilization
and justice to the uttermost parts Of
5he earth. It is the proud possession