Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-12
WILL RETURN BY UEZCANAL
Admiral Dewey Will Leave Manila Without
Delay.
To BE Relieved by Capt. Barker-"fi
Not Await the Arrival of
Admiral Watson.

|
| No. Trafalgar Square. London England, y
! was thu notice given out at the Navy De-
partment today, being the first formal in
| dication that the famous flagship is coming
! home Immediately and by the Suez route.
| Upon inquiry it was ascertained that Sec
| retary Long had last evening cabled Ad-
miral Dewey permission to return at once
to the United States. He has been relieved
Of the obligation of remaining at Manila
until the Philippine commission completes
its work; he is not even required to await
the cessation of hostilites, but may start
homeward at once. The notice posted at
the Navy Department indicates that the
Olympia will not remain long enough to re-
ceve the next outward mail.
Mr.. Stevens referred to is the Navy De-
partment's agent at London to distribute
all of the mail for United States warships
in European waters, SO he will see to it
that the Olympia receives hers as soon as
she passes the SueZ canal.
VIII Arrive Before July 4.
1t is estimated at the Navy Department
that Dewey will reach the United States
in time for a national demonstration on
the 4th of July next. The Olympia will not
come under full steam, but nevertheless
she should maxi the to New York in
about fifty-five days from Manila. That
she is to come 10 New York is almost GER
tain, as shown by the following response
made by Secretary Long to the urgent
message of invitation to Dewey from Mayor
Van Wyck of Naw York. 1t may be stated
that this was sent before the notice was
sent to Dewey that he might come nome at
once.
Reply to Mayor Van Wyck-
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON. d. c., May H. 1898.
Mr. Robert A. Van Wyck, Mayor, New
York City.
Sir: | am in receipt of your telegram
with regard to the return of Admiral
Dewey and expressing a desire that he
arrive first in the country at New York
The time of his return has not b=en hXed,
and the department has tax N no other
action than to authorize his return when
ever the condition of the pea"h commission
shall permit. As to the route he shall take
in returning, the department Is inclined TO
leave that to him. He has served with
great ability. and must necessarily feel so
much the effect Of his arduOus labors in
trying climate, and under trying circum-
stances. that the department is disposed to
let him govern himself iE this respect
largely by the consideration of his own
personal convenience and wish. Il is un-
derstOod, however, that Admiral Dewey
will elect to return to New Ork
Very respectfully,
JOHN d. LONG, Secretary"
Capt. Barker to Take Command.
The fact that Admiral Dewey is going to
start for home In a few days without
awaiting the full organization of the pro-
posed government in the Philippines has
necessitated several changes in the plans
of the Navy Department. 1t was at first
the arrival of his relief Rear Admiral Wat
son, and under that supposition the latter
officer was ordered to report to Admiral
Dewey for orders.
Admiral Watson will sail from San Fran
cisco next Tuesday as a passenger on one
of the regular Pacific mail steamships, and
cannot possibly reach Manila before the
middle of June. In order to provide for the
direction of naval affairs in Asiatic waters
between the date of Admiral Deweys de-
parture and the arrival of Rear Admiral
Watson, orders We're today issued placing
Capt A. s. Barker in command of the
AsiatiC squadron after Admiral Dewey's
departure until he is relieved by Rear Ad-
miral Watson.
Capt. Barker is now in command OF the
battle ship Oregon-the pride of the navy
and. next to Admiral Dewey. is the senior
officer on the station. Capt. Barker is an
officer of ability and discretion, and may
be depended on to take good care of the
interests of the United States under all
circumstances and conditions He is well
known in this city through his long service
here as assistant chief of the bureau OF
navigation during Admiral RaInsey's term
of office, and also through his services as
a member of the naval war or strategy
board during the Spanish war.
At the close of the war he relieved Capt
Clark of command of the battle ship Ore
gon. and took that magnificent warship
from New York around the Horn to Callao
Peru, and thence across the Pacific by way
Of Honolulu to Manila where she arrived
several weeks ago AS soon as he is re-
lieved of command of the Asiatic squadron
Rear Admiral ah h.
OF June, Capt. Barker will also start for
home, under a leave of absence granted n
few days ago.
The Reception to Dewey.
Nothing has yet been settled in regard to
the character of the official reception 10 he
accorded to Admiral Dewey on account of
his paramount services in the Philippines
but the ceremonies will undoubtedly be on
as grand a scale as the condition of the
military service-army and navy-wiu per
nit.
II is not now regarded as practicable or
advisable to send the North Atlantic SQUAD
ron across the Atlantic for the purpose of
escOrunS Admiral Dewey and his flagship
olympia home from Gibraltar 1t is not at
all unlikely, however, that some of the yes
sells OF the home squadron may be detailed
to meet the Olympia on this side of the At
lantic. most probably off the banks of New
toundland and accompany her into the
home port.
Such action would necessitate change in
the summer plans of the home squadron
but ii could easily be done If so desired
The squadron is now at New York prepar-
ing for cruise along the New England
coast, to follow a series of maneuvers in
Narragansett bay in execution of problems
prepared at the Naval War College
1t has been suggested that in case Rear
Admiral Sampson cannot be spared from
his present duties that Rear Admiral
Schley be placed in temporary command of
one or more of the vessels Of his squadron
to which NAV be assigned the distinction
of meeting Admiral Dewey at sea and es-
corting him into an American harbor
LONDON ADVICES FROM MANILA.
Filipino Congress Is Divided on Cues
tiOn of Pence