The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-10-03


thinks OF the Philippine situation and
also OF the gabble that has been heard
about his acceptance OF the presidential
nomination. The "Times' says;
Admiral Dewey was seen this morn.
ing on his flagship the olympia. as she
lay at anchor at the southwest spit,
He was busy writing letters In his cab
in the hreech Of an S-inoh gun at his
elbow, when the Arst visitors to the
tiagship boaried, He made his ap-
pearance in a few minutes on the quar-
ter deck, dressed in the fatigue uni
form OF an admiral. and his elastic step
showed that he was far trOm being the
physical wreck that the American peo-
pie have pictured TO themselves
he emphatlcally expressed hts aeso-
lutte confidence in the ability Of the
United States TO settle the question OF
the Philippines. and as emphatieally
declined. even with a show % ir-
ri,Ation. to talk about the attitude Of
Admiral Dlederichs at Manila, He
effectively punctured the talk Of his
accepting the nomination for the
presidency and denied that the Fill
pines were capable Of running their
own government He spoke In a san
Suine way OF his health. Aguinaldo
ne stamped as figurehead.
When asked what he thought OF the
mention Of his name for the presidency,
the gallant seaman oraced his should
ers. thrust out his right hand express
sively and laughed good naturedly be-
fore he replied:
They don't know me-"
General Joe Wheeler has been
mentioned as your running mate"
Well well Is that trueg A nne
mess We two would make OF It. The
army and navy. That's too good, really,
to be true. You know the old saying,
Once soldier always a soldier
That covers wheeler's case"
Then It is once an Admiral. always
an admiral, 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 political training in his
life. bu, for me- my son, know as
;nlcl. ABOUT politics as Bob here" said
the admiral. STOPPING to stroke the
dogs head and dismissing the subject
with o:,e OF his expressive gestures.
In answer to a question regarding the
situation in the Philippines. Admiral
Dewey wheeled half way round on his
heel and said briskly: There are a
good many questions on which I may be
expected to talk. but l will have to de-
Ter to a great extent my opinions un-
III have reported TO Washington.
Il shall go there on Tuesday. and I
,inrot say how long my stay at the
,1pItol win be. nave many intimate
friends there and so long as the gov
srnment sees fit TO keep me there I shall
'tay. AS to the Philippines l am no
.alker: never was. have often wish
Il that could talk. but l never made
! speech. and I'm too old to learn those
riekS. You know as much about the
as do. Any intelligent
American citizen who has followed with
he right interest what has happened |
here since we whipped The Spanish |
ieet knows as much OF that problem as
or any man aboardship.
Ever since left the islands have
cad everything bearing upon the ISL
ras and what has transpired there .
ince We left that / could obtain. At
he time l left said that the in
urgents were on their last legs. It's
u to come. they can't hold out against
be army and navy. l believed then
bat they would be unable to secure
he arms and ammunition. without
'hich they could not wage war. but /
ave learned through the newspapers
nee that they have received the neces-
ary supplies. That must be stopped.
nd the insurgents will then be OF little
trength."
DO you consider that the Filipinos
re yet capable OF self-government. at
EAST enough TO allow Of the withdrawal
the American fOrces?"
No. they are not, but in time they
'ill be. It is bound to come out right.
'ound to-" replied Admiral Dewey de-
jsiyely.
i viii say this much though for the
'iliplnos. They are more capable Of
oyerning themselves than the Cubans
N.
Some Of them, I doubt not, are now !
'pah'e Of administering affairs. but Z
he great majority Of them have the I
-uiest ideas Of an honest and eficl-
M government Their greatest fault
this: They don't know the meaning ,
the word honest OF course. like
i Malays who have had educational
ivantages. they are wonderfully cap
1le Of initiative construction and are
imirable artisans when trained"
'AH RAISES THE CHARTER RATE
hortage Of Tonnage Is Due Largely 10
the Heavy Draft Made by 7
the Government