The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-10
Dewey Reported as
Breaking Down.
LONG DENIES IT.
Secretary Says He Has No
Information of That Nature.

Washington, March 9.-When his at
tention was called to the statement
coming from Vancouver to the effect
that Admiral Dewey is breaking down
and cannot last a month longer, Secre-
tary Long said that he had no inform
alton whatever on this point
The stories of theladmirars iIl-heaIth
have been in circulation with more or
less persistency for the past four
months. They are all traceable to pri-
vate reports. and though officers of the
navy who have returned recently from
Manila state that Dewry's health, so
far as it could be gagged from his ap-
pearance, appears to be about the
same as it has been for the past year,
they agree that the private reports
have a fair basis of fact.
1t is not denied by these o.dcers llat
the admiral has aged in his appear
auce noticeably within the past year,
his hair is undoubtedly Hhiter and his
figure shows signs of that weakness
which might be expected TO come with
advancing years.
Dewey viii be g. years old next De-
cember, and for many years has not
been a strong man physically Mean
time he has had imposed upon him the
most severe and eXacting duties, SO
that il is but natural that his frail
physique should show the effects of the
tremendous strain. 1t is said by per-
sons familiar with the Philippine eli
mate that the second year is hardest
to bear for a Caucasian, and Dewey
soon will begin his second year there
In addition to this, he lab0rs under the
drawback of having undergone a most
severe surgical operation for the relief
of his liver. A man needs a sound liver
in the Philippines of all places. These
facts lead naval officers 10 believe re-
ports that Dewey is showing signs OF
physical strain.
on the other hand, as already stated
there is absolutely no official evidence
on file at the department to show that
this is true. The full medical history
of Admiral Dewey is among the records
of the bureau of medicine and surgery
They show every ailment that he has
experienced since he has been in the
navy, as we'll as the results of the ply
steal, examinations he has undergone
when he has been promoted from time
to time.
But these do not disclose any com.
plant at this time. The admiral has
not been made the subject of sicl
report since he went to Manila Some
time ago the president feared that the
great strain he was undergoing might
oVertax him, so he cabled Dewey
through Secretary Long, permission u
return to the United States.
The admiral declined to avail him
self Of this permission, and asked t
stay. saying that in his opinion duty
required that he should finish the tasl
he had begun at Manila. The presi.
dent accepted this statement, anC
Dewey remains by his own wish He
is free to return to the United States
whenever he cares to do so. and the
department will relieve him by cabled
orders. In that case. Capt n. H
Dyer, the commander Of the Baltimore
who is the senior captain on the Asiat.
&c station, would have command of the
American squadron temporarily, ant
probably would be relieved later by one
of the rear admirals recently created
nearly all of whom are anxious to as
sumo active flag rank before retire
ment