The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-27
FRANK TALK FROM DEWEY
ON THE PHILIPPINES, oTIs, AND THE
PRESIDESCY

Not Yet Capable of soIf-Government.
From ne Evening Sun.
ATLANTIC HIoHLANDs, n. j.. Sept. 26.-Ad-
miral Dewey was seen this morning
on his flagship. the Olympia. ss she
lay at anchor at the Southwest Spit.
He was busy writing letters in his
cabin, the breech OF an S-inch gun at his elbow.
He made his appearance in q few minutes on
the quarterback dressed 10 the fatigue uni
form OF an Admiral. and his elastic step showed
that he was far from the physical wreck that
the American people have pictured recently to
themselves. His dog Bob. q Filipino dog. OF
brown. furry coat. was at his heels.
The Admiral politely but firmly refused to
talk at length upon any OF the important ques-
lions upon which the people OF the United
States have learned to regard him as an au-
thority He emphatically expressed his abso-
lutte confidence In the ability OF the United
States to settle the question Of the Philippines.
and as emphaticaly declined. even with show
Of irritation. to talk about the attitude OF Ad-
miral Diederchs at Manila. He effectively
punctured the talk OF his accepting the nom
ination for the Presidency. and denied that the
Fillpinos were capable Of running their own
government. Aguinaldo he stamped az q fig
urehead.
DIDN'T PROPOSE TO BE LATE.
He explained the reason for the arrival Of
the Olympia at Sandy Hook two days ahead OF
the expected timc:
We are In the habit OF arriving In time. and
haven't missed q place yet. Fortune was with
us on the run from Gibraltar. When we
weighed anchor there week ago last Satur-
day afternoon. I determined to make an allow
ance for at least one of the storms that sailor
must expect On the southery course at this
season OF the year. Be We shaped our course
with three days allowance for delays. The
winds this week favored quick run. and
We met no storms Of any consequence. we
found ourselves at home this morning.
Il knew that the people expected US. and
rather than run any risk OF falling afoul OF the
plans that they have SO generously made for
our reception. 1 thought 1t was best to be on
the safe side And then we are not in the city
or at Tompkinsville. either. so that do not
anticipate that the earliness OF our arrival will
cause any complication whatever. Tomorrow
We will weigh anchor and proceed to Tomp-
kinsville. and then 1 suppose We must surren-
der ourselves to the mercies OF the American
people"
FILIPrNos CANT HOLD OUT.
In answer to a question regarding the stua-
ton in the Philippines. Admiral Dewey
wheeled halfway round on his heol and said
briskly: There are good many questions on
which may be expected to talk. but will
have to defer. to a great extent. the expression
OF my opinions until have reported to Wash
inRton. 1 shall 60 there on Tuesday. and I
cannot say how long my stay at the capital will
be. have many intimate friends there. and 80
long as the Government sees at to keep me
there shall stay. As to the Philippines.
am no talker; never was. I have often
wished that could talk. but never made a
speech and I'm too old to learn those tricks.
You know as much about the Philippines as
do. Any intelligent American citizen who has
followed with the right interest what has hap
psned there since we whipped tho Spanish feet
knows a. much Of that problem as l or any man
aboard ship.
Ever since left the islands I have read
everything bearing upon the islands and what
has happened there since we left that could OBJ
tain. At the time left said that the insurgents
were on their last legs. It's got to come. they
can't stop it. They can't hold out against the
Army and Navy I believed then that they
would be unable to secure the arms and am
muntion. without which they could not wage
war. but have learned through the news
papers since that they have received the neo-
essary supplies. That must be stopped. and
the insurgents will then lie OF little strenGth.
They are good soldiers. splendid ones. and
their powers Of on durance are remarkable"
NOT YET CAPABLE OF sELF-GovERNMENT.
do you consider that the Fipinos are yet
capable OF self government. at least enough 80
to allow OF the withdrawal Of American
forcss?"
NO. they are not but in time they will be. 1t
is bound to come out right. Bound to-" replied
Admiral Dewey. decisively.
II will say this much. though. for the Fill
pinos. They are more capable Of governing
themselves than the Cubans are.
Some OF them, I doubt not. are now
capable OF administering affairs. but tho
great majority OF them have the crudest ideas
OF an honest and efficient government. Their
greatest fault is this: They don't know tho
meaning OF the word honesty or course.
like all Malays who have had educational ad-
yantages they arc wonderfully capable OF imi-
tative construction and are admiral BILE artisans
when trained"
LAUGHS AT TALK OF MAKING HIM PRESIDENT
At this point Admiral Dewey was asked what
he thought OF the mention OF his name for
the Presidency. The gallant seaman 'braced
his shoulders. thrust out his right hand ex-
pressively and laughed good naturally before
he replied:
They don't know me-"
Gen. Joe Wheeler has been mentioned 40
your running mate."
well. well. is that true? A nne mesa we two
would N AXE OF 1t. The Army and Navy That's
saying. Once soldier. always a soldier That
covers Wheelers case"
'Then it is once an Admiral. always an Ad-
miral." was suggested.
Yes. that covers my case" laughed Dewey
but the change would be only to another
craft. the ship OF State" was said.
TOO much OF a change. too much" replied
Dewey. Now. Wheeler has had some poIti-
cal training In his life. but for me. my son.
know as much about politics as Bob here.
said the Admiral. STOPPING to stroke the dogs
head and Diminishing tho subject with ono oil
his expressive gestures. Then he straight
Oned up stiffiy.
Orderly. go in my room and get that picture
q Gen. Luna" he said suddenly. Luna" hi
resumed. was killed By Aguinaldo's orderly
while was on my way back to the United
States. The orderly was an expert swordsmar
and whom Luna attempted to brush past him
after the orderly had refused to let him pass
kiIlad