Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-10
AMERICA AWAITS ITS HERO
Foremost Citizens Prepare Testimonial il
Dewey's Honor
WESTERN MAYORS SEND HIM AN INVITATION
Plea VIII BE Entered that Admiral
Enter Country from the West
that Bctitting Ceremonies
May Take Place.

WASHINGTON, May 9.-Admiral Dewey,
upon his return to the United states, is
to be presented a monster testimonial con-
sisting OF autograph letters from members
of President McKinley's cabinet, governors
OF states and prominent United States SEN
ators.
The secretary of the treasury says in his
written opinion of Dewey that he regards
him as one of a galaxy of men who have
made the American name honorable and
illustrious; the secretary of state writes
that no artificial ccmmondation of such a
victory is at all needful to preserve it for
ever in the American heart the secretary
of the navy expresses similar views the
secretary of agriculture reminds Americans
that Dewey in a day, added an archipelago
to the possessions of the United States;
the secretary of war adds his tribute of
praise to Dewey and the postmaster gem
eral enthusiastically seconds the proposition
to emphasize the gratitude of the peop.e.
While Admiral Dewey will be the recipi-
ent of many honors on his return nome
this testimonial will be the first written evil
dence extended to him of the very wide
spread sentiment and gratitude on the part
of Americans for the victor of Manila.
west Wants N Chance.
CHICAGO, May 9.-News was received at
the city hail today that strong movement
is forming in the west to induce Admlral
Dewey to make his entry into the United
States next month through San Francisco
According to the announced plans oil the
Manila hero he will leave the Philippines o.
his flagship, the Olympia Immediately upon
the arrival of Admiral Watson. Admiral
Dewey it has been reported, will take the
Suez canal route and will first greet his
countrymen at the port of New York. 1t Is
now proposed by mayors and leading civil
officials of the west to petition the admlrai
TO change his plans and make the Golden
Gate the objective point OF his voyage TO ME
native land. The latter proposition was
made by Mayor Phelan of San Francisco,
who teegraphed to the city executives OF the
leading cities of the western portion OF the
United States asking their corporation In
the effort to secure for the west the honor OF
first receiving the naval hero.
Mayor Harrison received the following dis
patch from Mayor Phelan today: Can you
advise me by telegram If l can use your
name by cablegram inviting Admiral Dewey
to return by San Francisco instead of by
Suez? We contemplate grand ceieora-
ton"
Mayor Harrison Immediately wired his as.
sent. 1t is reported that Mayor Phelan has
wired all the mayors of the principal cities
OF the west and has received favorable an
swers.
Dewey VIII Attend Encampmeut.
PHILADELPHIA, May 9.-Admiral Dewey
has expressed dis intention of attending the
thirty-third annual encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic in this city nexl
September if he can possibly get away. He
will be the guest of Naval post No. 400 anc
will be asked to preside over the Naval Vet
erans convention, which will be held in In
dependence hall at that time. The follow
ing cablegram has been received from
Dewey on the subject:
III the exigencies of the service permit
you may confidently count on my being with
! you in the fall to attend your convention.
GEORGE DEWEY
committee of the Grand Army of the Re-
public and Naval Veterans conferred will
Mayor Ashbridge today and will go to Wash
ington on Tuesday to arrange with Secretary
Long, If possible, for big naval demonstra
tion during the encampment.