New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-25
DEWEY NOT A SICK MAN.
SURGEON PAGE, OF THE OLYMPIA,
TALKS INTERESTINGLY ABOUT
THE ADMIRAL.

Washington May 24.-Surgeon ]. E. Page, Of
Admiral Dewey's flagship, the Olympia, has ar
rived here on leave. He came ahead of the
Olympia to avoid the long delays OF the voyage
by way Of the Suez Canal. Surgeon Page has
been on the flagship ever since Dewey took COM
mand seeing him daily and having general
charge OF medical affairs so that he is In a po-
stion to give an intelligent view Of the Ad-
miral's health and general condition. He said
to-day:
Admiral Dewey is in no sick man,
but is well as any could be after spend
ing year in the tropics. I was on the Olympia
at the time he came aboard and from that time
TO the present l do not believe there has been
any appreciabe change in his appearance,
weight or general condition. Any one who
thinks he is a physical wreck should hear the
Admiral the quarterback when he gets
aroused. He is the gentlest man living. and yet
he expects every man to do his exact duty and
when there is any shortcoming the Admiral will
be heard from in no feeble or sickly manner.
OF course, every in the fleet has suffered in
health more or less during the last year, owing
to the terrific and long sustained heat and the
enervating climate. 1t takes all the life out Of
a strong man. and undoes his energy and ambi-
tion. In that Dewey suffered with all the rest
OF U.S. 1t was particularly arduous during
blockade duty. when for long stretches no man
could get ashore"
Surgeon Page was asked II Admiral Dewey's
responsibilities had not weighed heavily on him.
II think not" he answered 'and 1 believe IT
will be found that he has just as much nerve
the morning he fought the battle Of Manila
Bay. He is man who carries responsibility
lightly, and does not let 1t break him down On
the morning OF the battle he perfectly cool,
and only once throughout the action did he show
signs of anxiety. That was when the head gun
ner reported that our ammunition was running
short. This about the time we pulled of
for breakfast. and ii had rather depressing
effect. But it quickly offset when the off,
of the deck reported that the Reina Chris
turning point, and the Admiral had no anxiety
after that"
Asked II he had prescribed for Dewey OF late,
Surgeon Page said: mo. he has no need for pre-
scriptions. During the last year he has not
asked for a prescription or taken medical
advice except in a casual way. If he wants
anything he sends down to the ships apothe-
cary and gets It, His habits are so regular that
he needs little medicine. His smoking and
drinking are In perfect moderation. He eats
well and sleeps well. and It is one Of the recog-
niZed offences on board ship to tramp heavily
the Admirals cabin after he has retired.
at has needed pretty calm man at the head
OF affairs" said Surgeon Page when asked as
to the reports of friction with the German naval
but we all felt that much reliance was TO be
placed on the Admiraps tact and conservatism
a a Of avoiding any possible difference.
Throughout the fleet he universally ad-
mired not only as a naval commander but for
his craftsmanship and discretion"