Evening star., 1899-03-10
DEwEY's TASK NEARLY DONE.
But There is No Idea of Relieving
Him Of His Command.

The statement can be repeated on the au-
thority of the detail office of the Navy De
partment that Admiral Dewey will not be
relieved at Manila until he chooses to make
application for such relief. So far he has
not given any intimation of a purpose to
apply for relief in the immediate future
and from the few declarations he has let
fall the department has every reason to
believe that he does not contemplate any
such action. Consequently there is no foun-
dation for the story that Admiral Schley
or any other admiral has been selected TO
take command of the Asiatic station.
So far as the Navy Department is con-
cerned, the directing officials are not only
willing, but anxious that Dewey shall COM
p!ete his task in the orient, and they depre-
cate the circulation of such stories as those
alleging that he is to be relieved for the
reason that by constant reiteration the i'm
preston might be conveyed to the admiral
that the department would like to relieve
him. In the case of a man Of De5ay'S
punctiliOus feeling the mere suggestion. If
he had the slightest reason to believe it had
an official fOuudat ton. would be sufficient to
induce him to apply Immediately for relief
rather than TO embarrass the department.
As Dewey himself fixed the limitation of
his stay by the length of the task before
him it may Ire a matter of interest to re-
cord the belief Of many naval officers that
after all the end is almost within sight.
Dewey has established himself in Manila.
he has assisted in the taking of Iloilo: he
has sent forces TO Cebu in connection with
the army. also to NegrOs; and the prfncipaI
ports OF the Philippines have all been taken
over into American possession. in large
part through his cooperation with the
army. There remain only a few ports OF
Importance, notably ZdmbOangO on Minda-
neo. and perhaps one of the towns i'm the
Sulu archipelago to be occupied. ExDedj-
tens are now moving in these directions
and that branch of the work VIII soon be
closed uD.
There VIII remain but two more phases
Of the campaign to require Dcwey's assist
ance. First. and near at hand. is the driy-
lnS on Of the Tagals under ACuinaldo near
Manila With Lawton landing this morn
ing at Manila, with his achievements and
the other reinforcements near at hand
Cen Otis movement in force is near at
hand The navy will aid in this Sbins
can be placed i'm proper positions on fha
shores Of the bay of Manila to command
the country for miles, and by co-operation
with the army. through the agency Of the
signal corps. the insurgents can be shalIeJ
out of the jungles many miles inland by
the warships.
task VIII be the establishment OF a close
blockade TO prevent munitions of war or
supplies from reaching the insurgents Dro-
VlIinS there are any insurgents remaining
after Otis ard Iawton have made their
forward move. When this has been done
when there is nothing further in the line
OF nghtinR for the warShips to 10 Then il
l. believed that Dewey's task will prohabIy
D. regarded as finished by himself and fl
Will be time for the Navy Department IN
consider the question of a successor to the
command OF the Asiatic station.