Evening star., 1899-03-09
OLD REPORTS CIRCULATED
Secretary Long Has No information Regard
ing Dewey's Health.
He Remains at Manila at His Own
Wish, Having Been Given Permfs-
sion to Return Some Time Ago.

When his attention was called to the
statement coming from Vancouver to the
effect that Admiral Dewey is breaking
down and cannot last month longer, Sec
retary Long said to day that he had no
information whatever on that point. Ihe
stories of the admrars i'll health have been
in circulation with more or less persistency
for the past four months. They are all
traceable to private reports. Ofhcers OF
the navy who have returned recently from
Manila state that Dewey's health, SO far
as it could be gauged from his appearance,
appears to be about the same as 1t has
been for the past year. 1t is not denied hy
these officers that the admiral has aged in
his appearance notably within the past
year; his hair is undoubtedly whittier an
his figure shows signs of that weakness
which might be expected to come with ad-
vancing years
Dewey will be sixty-two years old next
December ana he has not for many years
been strong man physically. Meahtlme,
he has had imposed upon him the most
severe and exacting duties, SO that IL Is
but natural that his frail physique should
at length begin to show the effect OF the
tremendous strain 1t Is said by persons
familiar with the Philippine climate mat
the second year is the hardest 10 bear for
Il Cauca sian. and Dewey is soon to begin
his second year there. In addition to this
he laborS under the drawback of having
undergone a most severe surgical opera
tiou for the relief of his liver. and a man
needs a sound liver in the Philippines OF
all places These are the facts that lead
naval officers to believe that it is true that
Dewey is showing signs of physical strain.
Remains by His own Wish.
On the other hand. as already stated,
there is absolutely no official evidence on
file at the department to show that this
is true. The full medical history of Ad
miral Dewey is among the records of the
bureau of medicine and surgery. They
show every ailment that he has experienced
since he has been in the navy. well
as the results of the physical examinations
he has undergone when he has been pro-
NOTED from time to time. But these do not
disclose any complaint at this time; the ad-
miral has not besn made the subject of
sick report since he went to Manila. Some
time ago the President feared that the
great strain he was under might overtaX
h m. so he cabled D-wey, through Secretary
Long. permission to return to the United
States. the admiral declined to avail him
self of this permission. and asked permis-
sion TO stay. saying that. in his opinion.
duty required that he should finish the
task he had b4gun at Manila that April
this statement. and Dewey remains by his
own wish; he is free TO return to the United
States VIII never he cares to do so and the
department will relieve him by cable or
derS.
In that case Capt. y. H. Dyer the COM
mander of the Baltimore who is the senior
captain on the Asiatic station. would have
command of the American squadron tenn
pcrarily. and would probably later be re-
lieved by one of the rear admirals recently
created. nearly all of whom are anxious
to assume active flag rank before retire
ment.