Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-30
ECHOES OF THE WAR.

Several pleasing fictions weaved around
the achievements OF the American feet In
Manila bay are being ruthlessly shattered
by the iconoclasts of history. That early
breakfast story was torn from the anec-
tions of the nation after IL had been ac-
cepted as happy event. No adequate SUD
stitute was offered. The real thing-stop-
ping to take an inventory OF ammunition
had neither romance or sentiment about IL
So the patriotic multitude turned to Deweys
order, "You may fire when ready, Gridley'
as a sentiment against which historical
sharps would battle in vain. 1t has been
embalmed in the nations heart, immortal
lied in print. and inscribed in letters OF
bronze on Olympias forward turret yet
the man supposed to have uttered the now
famous order denies having said 1t. In
late interview, Admiral Dewey Is quoted
as saying: "I am sorry to spoil good
story but never said anything OF the kind.
The truth is that Gridley was In another
part of the ship and did not have tue
chance to say It TO him. There was no par
ticuar command given. The signal was set
that we were going into action and no other
words were given than would ordinarily .oc-
cur at such a time"
Major William II. Johnson, U. s. A., sta
toned at San Fernando, in letter to the ST.
Louis Goge- Democrat, gives his Impressions
of events in the Philippines In which he
was a participant He says: I'VE had an
election in Cavite and ! confirmed the selec-
tion (by viva voce vote) of twelve headmen
from as many barrios. 1t then became their
duty to select one OF their own number as
president or alcalde. Being natural poll
ticians they inaugurated bribery and one
candidate raised the limit to IS for each vote
cast for him. l postponed the choice, telling
them l should later select the best behaved;
meanwhile the provost marshal presided. In
Balinag the president has been arrested for
soliciting contributions for Aguinaldo's
army. In another place the man chosen
proved to be a prisoner Of war in Manila,
but he was released and permitted to hold
office. But the people are all right. With
tact and sympathy, little money to help
the poor and authority to inaugurate public
works. build roads, open schools, restore
churches etc, a military governor in each
province could soon establish prosperity and
convince the people that our ultimate de-
signs are benevolent, even If our eruption
into their midst has savored somewhat of
Yankee rudeness.
"Our army officers have no desire to pro-
long this war Our pay is no more than 1t
would be at home. while our expenses are
heavier, perhaps doubled. One hears moth
ing but the kindest sympathy from officers
and men for the people who live here. To
me the brightest career for an army man
is offered by assignment to a popuous is
land or district where he can construct again
contented and happy community out of the
chaos that now exists outside Manila and it's
immediate suburbs
The sword presented to Rear Admiral
Sampson by the state of New Jersey last
week is a beautiful specimen of metalwork-
ers' art. 1t was designed strictly under the
regulations prescribed by the United States
navy, and made entirely of 1S-karat gold
and silver and nckel-steel. The design rep
resents on the head of the pommel the coat
of-arms of the state of New Jersey. On the
collar of the pommel are raised enameled
flags crossed, the emblems of the rank OF
captain and the advanced rank of rear ad-
miral, as held by Sampson at the beginning
and close Of the war. The grip is made
Of sharks skin, wrapped with 1S-kara
gold wire, with forty-five stars at equal
spaces, each star set with a diamond rep
resenting the states of the unicn. The
| phin heads, with ruby eyes, which is the
| natal stone of the admiral.
| The sleeves of the scabbard are of 49,
karat gold and the rings are the municipal
| fasees, held to the sleeve by ships cables
The monogram is made If diamonds and tn,
lower sleeve has the eagle in medallion
| The toe piece represents the dolphin and tn,
| seashells with the eyes of rubies The blad
is etched, showing the exact position helc
| by the navy in front of Santiago, showint
| the New York in prominence. The belt il
| the regulation naval belt heavily EN-
broidered IN gold bullion in rope effects with
! all the mounts in 1S-karat gold. The sword
is enclosed in a handsome case, beautiful,
| inscribed.
| ANNOyJNC WAN TAXES