The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-27
ADMIRAL DEWEY.

| ton for his feat OF arms on thc olrer 81 t-
OF the world. Al New York ana IA $751; as
ton he viii be made 10 know ,has hl> .s-
| low countryns regard him as q crs &c
man. IS be- really srta.s Does rc t-
serve the honor he viii receive Fr-t Js,l p
win Smith says mol. Prof Sm.,a is a
pessimisr who can see nothiue so>l cay-
side Of Canada. one or two Lor5oc
papers have agreed with him that A,tIa raj
Dewey deserves no special credit. snd teat
the Americans are a mercurial pe,ople
grown almost hysterical IN their hero Me-
ship Ina Prof. Smiths opinion there was
nothing glorious in smashing a few heip-
less tubs" in Manila bay. and the rea,
hero.sm OF the occasion was displayed by
the Spaniards
But, is Dewey a great man? Gov. Rose
Welt in an article in McCiure's. has 10
hesitation in saying that he is. He had
the foresight 90 recognize the opportunity
that would be presented in the far East
in the event Of a war between this couu-
cry and Spain, and it was because of his
recognized ability to command and viii
ingness to assume great responsibilities in
meeting emergencies that he was selected
for the Asiauc station. The authorities
at Washington could not possibly make
themselves familiar with the precise con-
dition of affairs on that far away station.
They required a man who could grasp the
situation fully, and who had the moral
courage 10 take all steps necessary to
master that situation. From his record,
including the promptness with which he
purchased coal for his ships without wait
ing for orders from Washington when it
was likely war would break out between
The United States and Chile, and from
the testimony of his comrades in the navy,
the Secretary of the Navy and his advisers
knew that Dewey was the man. Events
which have become a brilliant part of his
tory show that in selecting him no mistake
was made.
Upon his assuming command OF the Ash
attic station he was given large freedom
of action, which he used to the best adj
vantage. When war was declared he was
fully prepared for all eventualities. Every
necessity had been anticipated. He was
then seven thousand miles from home and
his nearest base of supplies; but the holds
of his ships were filed with everything he
would need for certain length of time
before the expiration of which he was
determined to wrest a base and supplies
from the enemy. All plans were perfectly
laid, and as perfectly carried out. Could
a man Of mediocre, or even ordinary
ability have planned and executed such a
campaign with such perfect success?
he IL,
Bay-the spectacular part of the campaign
1t was fun of heroism and bravery. 1t
is true that Deweys fleet was superior In
tonnage and calibre of guns to that of
the Spaniards; but there were other and
very great advantages on the side of the
enemy They were on their own ground
under the protection of land batteries of
great power, and guarded from attack by
a field OF mines at the harbor entrance.
They had eighteen fighting craft mounting
sixty-five guns, while Dewey had but six
fighting ships with fifty-seven guns. Be
sides facing a formidable fleet the intrepid
American was compelled TO fight against
forts and land batteries which the Span
iards had deemed to be strong enough In
themselves to protect the city against in
vasion from che sea. 1t was impossible
for Dewey to have received reliable in
formation respecting the character of the
resistance he would meet. He did not
know the location of the mines at the
harbor entrance, the power of the guns
in the forts. nor the accuracy of the
craftsmanship of the Spanish gunners.
But the authorities at Washington had put
him in command of the squadron because
they knew he was a man who could go
into Manila Bay If necessary"
That he did go into the bay how he
went in, and what he did after he got in,
go to make up a story which Americans
viii never cease to recount with pride.
And it is a story which proves that George
! Dewey had the ability 20 foresee, plan
fight and win one of the greatest of naval
battles; a battle which change. the mar
of the world, and extended the sphere OF
influence of his government half around
the globe in one day. If that does not prove
! greatness, the word has lost its meaning
! as il relates to war commanders.