The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-30
WHAT DEWEY SEEMS LIKE

spondence Of the New York Journal Up
on the afternoon OF my arrival in Manila
bay as the Journal representative, l called
on Admiral Dewey. He was seated OF
! the after gun deck of the Olympia read
ing dispatches from home that we had
brought from Hong Kong on the Zaflro.
Whether the news ne received was par
ticularly pleasing or whether he WAS IN
his usual genial mood. he gave me kind
welcome that made me feel at home with
out the breaking Of any formal ice
Although L have been associated during
the last four years with princes, noblemen
and diplomats OF every known ability and
myself had the honor of being the repre-
sentative of the United States in some i'm
portant negotiations, 1 was indeed glad TO
grasp the hand of the man who had led
and directed the American forces IN the
first great decisive naval battle or the
present war.
While nv conversation with the admiral
touched upon certain points which l am
not authorized to discuss, there were ref
erences made to some other matters OF
interest that l am confident he would not
consider confidential.
battle he said
This battle in Manila bay was fought
in Hong Kong harb0r. That is, the nara
work was done there; the execution here
was not difficult.
with the cooperation of tht officers OF
the fleet my plans were carefully studled
out there. and no detail omitted. Any
man who had a suggestion to oner was
heard, and If It was a good one II was
adopted. After the indications OF war
were so strong that it appeared lneVltaDie
I devoted my time and energies TO max
ing every preparation possible.
.@Whtn we left Hong Kong and anchored
in Mira bay, outside of the neutrality I'm
its. I had determined upon my line or ac-
ton. When we left there, few days
later. we sailed away ready for battle ana
txpecting it as soon as we reached the
neighborhood of Manila
From that hour of departure until we
drew out of action Sunday morning, May
I after destroying the Spanish squadron,
we practically did not stop the engines
Of our ships We came directly across
from the China post to that of Lu2on,
headed down toward the tnarance TO Ma
Mia bay. reconnoitred Subig bay, where
If had been rumored we would find the
enemy, made the entrance to Mania,
passed Corregidor Island by the south
channel in the darkness of the might ana
steamed across the bay close to Manila,
where at break of day we discovered the
Spanish fleet off Cavite.
Signalling to prepare for action and
follow the flagship. l gave orders to steam
past the enemy and engage their ships.
The result you can see by looking at the
sunken vessels in the harbor-
Every ship and every man did his duty
well, and the marvel of it all is that not
one man on our side was killed or even
seriously injured. The only harm inf1iet-
ed on the ships was of a trivial nature
although the Spaniards kept up lively
fire until their gun decks were no longer
out of water and they had no men to man
the guns.
The Spanish admiral and officers and
crews fought bravely and deserve credit
for their valor. but all their vessels were
either destroyed or sunk, with a loss of
several hundred killed and nearly as
many wounded
1.-The battle was fiercely contested as
long as 1t lasted, but the superiority of
our fleet and ships and guns and men and
craftsmanship soon won for US the vic
tory"
may not have followed the admirals'
exact language all the way through. but 1
have given the substance of his replies to
my questions in matters which can be
made public.
1t is evident that the government at
Washington reposes unlimited confidence
in the admiral, ard leaves TO him the en-
tire conduct of his campaign in Spanish
waters.
This is as it should be. but when the
secretary of the navy informs him direct
ly that the government has full conf
dence in his judgment and discretion there
comes with the sense of personal grsdh-
cation also a feeling of responsibility that
must weigh heavily upon him
Despite this responsibility Admiral
Dewey said 20 ne. as ne held a telegram
In his hand just received from Washing
ton which contained the message Of the
secretary; That expression OF confidence
pleased me more than al the congr4tLis-
tons have received.
This remark shows the man. he IS nor
laboring for public applause and compI-
ments, but he is proud 10 do his duty IN
such way as 10 merit the highest conf
dence Of his government al = critical per
iod Of its history and under most trying
conditions.
My impression Of ham gained from re
conversation was that OF one who had
been faced with an undertaking that
would make most men qdayer. bus VINO
had executed orders wlthog. q thought %
dincaing and win al cyl single - rs
cOuatrys good There as re sham. 10
hypocrisy. 10 insincersty about him ~
IS forcefuI, earnest sincere, and ye; gen
tie.
Admiral Dewey n manner and APPEAR
ance : proposing he Is not tsl ard
stately. but ot medium heiEat and vel
knit frame. VITA calm 6iga..y an5 21s1.e
smile he gree-s friend and stranger. ard
makes him fee - ease FL -&-ks wits
happy flow o. language without apparent
reserve and yet with due discretion.
He has a auIck way OF moving rs so5y
lands and eyes that indicate nervous
temperament. wAioa = however. under
cornplere con,ro. &a5 enables h-I 50 g.
csde without delay wax IS tae 5est pol-cS
70 pursue OF she west plan 70 ex=cU'.-
Wera rs mind once maze ~ ws-l1
say tnzt Il would - E2ost e.G.cult "a
change =. but 20 would - wing .
listen % a. 0pta.o- -~orrl. hearing sS-o-e
rezcsLg hls Conclusions
He . Tot tAs Ssz - folerzte- fer rs1o-
-eas here. bat as he x0rl9 r=ske Ssod