The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-13
Captain Barker to Take Command of
the Asiatic Squadron Until the Ar
rival of Admiral Watson.
DEWEY ANXIOUS FOR REST
SAYS THE CONDITION OF HIS HEALTH
NECESsITATES QUIET.
"What Shall We Do for the Man Who
Has Done So Much for Uss" An
swered by a Newspaper.

WASHINGTON, May 12.-"Send Olympia's
mail to B. f. Stevens, No. Trafalgar
square, London, England" was the notice
given out at the Navy Department to-day.
This is the first formal indication that the
famous flagship is coming home immediate
ly. On 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 completed its
work. He is not even required to await the
cessation of hostilities, but may start home
ward at once. The notice posted at the
Navy Department indicates that the
Olympia will not remain long enough to re-
ceive the next outward mail. Mr.. SttIens,
referred to, is the Navy Departments agent
at London to distribute all of the mail for
the United States war ships in European
waters, so he will see to 1T that the
Olympia receives hers as soon as she passes
the Suez canal. 1t is estimated at the
Navy Department that Dewey will reach
the United States in time for a national
demonstration on the Fourth of July next.
The Olympia will not come under full steam,
but nevertheless she should make the run
to New York in about fifty-five days from
is nearly certain, as shown by the follow
ing response made by Secretary Long 10 the
urgent message of invitation to Dewey from
Mayor Van Wyck of New York. 1t may be
stated that this was sent yesterday before
the notice was sent to Dewey that ne might
come home at once:
"Sir-I am in receipt of your telegram
with regard to the return of Admiral
Dewey and expressing desire that he ar
time of his return has not been fixed and
the department has taken no other action
than to authorize his return whenever the
condition of the peace commission shail per-
NIT. As TO the route he shall take In re-
turning, 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 a trying
climate and under trying circumstances that
the department Is disposed to let him gov
ern himself in this respect largely by con-
sideration of his own personal convenience
and wish. 1t is understood, however, that
Admiral Dewey will elect to return TO New
York.
Admiral Watson will sail from San Fran
cisco next Tuesday as passenger on one OF
the regular Pacific mail steamships, but
cannot possibly reach Manila before the mid
die of June Orders have been issued plac-
ing Capt. A. S. Barker in mnand of the
Asiatic squadron after Admiral Deweys de-
parture, until relieved by Rear Admiral
Watson. Captain Barker is now in command
of the battle ship Oregon. and, next to Ad-
miral Dewey, is the senior officer Of the sta
ton. He is an officer Of ability and discre,
ton, has served assistant chief of the
Bureau of Navigation and was member OF
the Strategy Board during the Spanish war.
At the close of the war he relieved Captain
Clark of the command Of the battle ship
Oregon and took that magnificent war ship
from New York around the horn to Callao.
Peru, and thence by way of Honolulu to Ma,
nila, where she arrived several weeks ago.
AS soon as relieved by Admiral Watson,
Captain Barker will return to America.