Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-10

REPoRrs THAT HE Is BuEAI<rNG
DOWN HAVE BASIS OF FACT.
HAS AGED NOTABLY IN APPEARANCE.
His Hair II whittier, and Hts Figure
shows signs of Wesisness-Be IL at
Liberty TO Come Home Whenever
He PIeascs.

WASHINGTON. March 9.-When his at
tention was called 10 the statement, com
,ug from Vancouver. that Admiral Dewey
Is breaking down and cannot last
iaoath LONGER. Secretary Long said he had
no information whatever on this point.
Stories Of W-health in the case of the
Admiral have been IN circulation with
more or less persistency for the past
three months. They are all traceable TO
private reports. and though officers OF
the navy who have returned from Ma
Mia state that Dewey's health. so far as
II could be gagged from his appearance
appears to be about the same as 1t has
been for the past year. they agree that
the private reports probably have far
basis of fact.
1t Is not denied by these officers that
the Admiral has aged In appearance no
tally within the past year. His hair is
undoubtedly whittier, and his figure SHOWS
signs OF that weakness which might DC
expected 70 come with advancing years
Dewey viii be s. years old next December
and for many years has not DeeH
strong man physically. In the mean tiD'e
he has had imposed upon him the inost
severe and exacting duties, so that IL -
but natural that his frail physique shoulu
show tho effect Of the tremendous STRAIN.
HIS LIVER UNsOUND.
II Is said by persons familiar with the
Philippine climate that the second l'"i
is the hardest 10 bear for Caucasian.
and Dewey soon Will begin his secohu
wear there. Ia addition 10 tnis' ne iapoI9
under the drawback OF having undergone
a most severe surgical operation Tor the
relief Of his liver. a man needs sound
liver I'm the Philippines, Of all places
These facts lead naval officers TO believe
the reports that Dewey Ia showing signs
OF physical strain.
on tho other hand, as already stated
there IS absolutely no official evidence on
file at the department 20 show that ms
Is true. A full medical history OF AdmlraI
Dewey is among the records of the Bu-
reau OF Medicine and Surgery. 1t shows
every ailment that he has experienced
since he has been I'm the navy. as Well
as the results of the physical eXamlna-
tons he has undergone when he has been
promoted from time TO time. But these
do not disclose any complaint at TINS
time. The Admiral has not been made
10 Manila.
PERMISSION TO COME HOME.
Some time ago the President feared
that the great strain he was under might
overtax him. so he cabled Dewey, through
Secretary Long. permission 10 return TO
the United States. The Admiral declined
10 avail himself Of this permission, and
asked permission TO stay, saying That III
his opinion duty required that he should
finish the task ne had begun at Manila
Tho President accepted this statement
and Dewey remains by his own wish. lie
Is free TO return TO the United states
whenever he cares TO do so, and the de-
partment will relieve him by cabled
orders. In that case, Captain N. III. Dyer
the commander Of the Baltimore, who is
the senior captain on the Asiatlc station,
will have command of the American
squadron temporarily, and probably
would be relieved later by one of the rear
admirals recently created, nearly all of
whom are anxious to assume active flag
rank before retirement.