The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-11
1T RESTS WITH DEWEY.
The Admiral Will Not BE Relieved of
His Command Until He Chooses.


WASHINGTON, March 10.-The state
ment can be repeated on the authority Of
the detail Office of the Navy Department
that Admiral Dewey will not be relieved
at Manila until he chooses TO make applica-
ton 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 de-
partment has every reason TO believe that
he does not contemplate any such action.
Consequently there is no foundation for the
story that Admiral Schley, or any other
admiral, has been selected TO take COM
mand OF the Asatic station. So far as the
Navy Department is concerned, the direct
ing officials not only willing. but anx-
ious that Dewey shall complete his task
and they deprecate the circulation Of such
stories as those alleging that he is to be
relieved, for the reason that by constant
reiteration the impression might be con-
veyed TO the admiral that the department
would like to relieve him. In the case of a
man of Dewey's punctilious feeling, the
mere suggestion, if he had the slightest
reason 10 believe it had an official founda-
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, ii might
be a matter of interest to record the be-
lief of many naval officers that, after all,
the end is almost within sight
Dewey has established himself at Manila,
he has assisted in the taking of Iloilo. he
has sent forces to Cebu in connection with
the army, also to Negros. the principal ports
of the Philippines have all been taken over
into American possession in large part
through his cooperation with the army.
There remain only few ports of impor-
tance, notably Zamboago. on Mindanao, and
perhaps one Of the towns in the Sulu archi-
pelago, to be occupied. Expeditions are now
moving in these directions, and that branch
of the work will be soon closed up.
There will remain only two more phases
Of the campaign to require Dewey's assist
ance. First, and near at hand, is the driv-
ing off of the Tagals under Aguinaldo near
Manila. With Lawton landing this morning
at Manila with his reinforcements and the
other reinforcements expected soon, General
Otis's movement in force is near at hand.
The navy will aid in this. Ships can be
placed in proper positions on the shores of
the Bay of Manila to command the country
for miles, and by cooperation with the
army, lnrOugn the agency or the signal
corps, the insurgents can be shelled out of
the Jungles many miles inland by the war
ships.
The next and last feature of Dewey's task
will be the establishment of close blockade
to prevent munitions of war or supplies
from reaching the insurgents, providing
there are any insurgents remaining after
Otis and Lawton have made their forward
there is nothing further in the way OF
fighting for the war ships to do. it is be-
lieved that then Dewey's task probably will
be regarded as finished by himself, and it
will be time for the Navy Department to
consider the question of successor TO the
command of the Asiatic station.
Admiral Dewey has been instructed to
prescribe his own uniform for the exalted
rank to which he has just been appointed,
although it is not believed he has given
much attention to the matter of uniform of
late. His flag is blue, with four stars set in
the shape of a diamond. His uniform, un-
der former regulations, when the navy had
an admiral, would be four stars on his
shoulder straps, the end stars being upon
anchors. Upon his sleeves he would wear
two very broad bands of gold, between
which would be band of yellow half the
width of the outside bands The yellow on
his sleeves would extend nearly to the ell
bows. By special act of Congress. passed
in the closing hours, Admiral Dewey will
receive the pay of the last general of the
army.