Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-09-07
Admira / Dewey and the T,i,p,nos

The full text OF the interview with
Admiral Dewey held by the correspond
emit of the London Daily News at
Naples, and printed in the issue of
that paper of August 21st, forms inter-
esting reading. The correspondent first
questioned the admiral about his great
naval victory in Manila Bay. asking
him il, in his opinion, this battle was
the decisive action in the war with
Spain.
"It was the battle" was the reply,
(which decisively turned the fortunes
Of war in favor of the Americans. !"
Then he added: "The Spanish ships,
all the same, fought well.
"And the condition of the Spanish
feet?' [ asked. WAS it in fact SO
deplorable as to make victory on the
other side certain?"
do not believe,' said Admiral
Dewey, THAT the American fleet was
30 much superior to the Spanish. We
certainly had the advantage of more
modern vessels, but a naval victory de-
ponds on SO many coefioients. p"
Conversation then drifted to the
question of the Philippines, and the
correspondent asked "Do you think,
admiral, that the islands are likely to
be pacified soon?" Admiral Dewey
replied:
81 have the question Of the Philip
pines more at heart than any other
American, because know the Filipinos
intimately, and they know that l am
their friend. The recent instruction
is the fruit of the anarchy which has
long reigned in the island. The insur-
gents will have to submit themselves
to law after being accustomed to nc
law at all. believe and affirm, never
theless, that the Philippine question
will be very shortly solved. The Fill
pinos are capable of governing them
selves. They have all the qualifications
for it. 1t is question of time, but
the only way to settle the insurrectior
and to assure prosperity to the archi'
pelago is to concede self-government tc
the inhabitants. That would be thu
solution Of many questions, and woulc
satisfy all, especially the Filipinos, who
believe themselves worthy of it, ant
are so. "
"Self-government for the Philippines
America" 1 remarked.
~ have never been ia favor of vic
lence towards the Filipinos, replied
or rather continued, the Admiral
s'The islands are at this momen
blockaded by fleet, and war reigns il
the interior. This abnormal state o
lhings should cease l should like t.
see autonomy first conceded, and thei
annexation might be talked about
This is my opinion, and should lik
TO see violence at once put stop to
According to me, the concession @
ielf-government ought to be the mos
just and the most logical solution.
1.-THE admiral spoke with an air c
frank conviction" adds the CORE
spondent. And his conviction is share
by large majority of his fellow-cit
gems in the United States.
1t is we'll that Admiral Dewey is 500
to return to this country. His counsel
will be of value to the administration
He cannot avoid giving them an
would not if he could. And il M,
Kinley persists in ignoring them,
will have to render stern account
the voters, who are already indignal
at the causeless and cruel war he
waging against a people who ha'
done us no wrong.
The Naples interview finally revertt
TO an incident that attracted consit
cradle interest in this country sho
time since.
''Do you think conflict betwe,
Germany and the United States ov
the Philippines possible?" / asked.
sit is impossible to foresee the u
foreseeable, came the reply.
"Then, Admiral, you deny the stat
rents of the Trieste correspondent
the New York Herald?"
II deny nothing" replied the a
miral, because to that journalist
said nothing of the kind"
And nobody here believed that
did. Admiral Dewey is not the m
to talk in the inconsiderate manner
tributed to him by the irresponsil
correspondent of the New York Hera
There is nothing wrong with A
miral Dewey.
Tho attan,r,t 10 mazda IN onnnpara