The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-27
"Delicacies for the Admiral"

Schools and University club in New
York on Wednesday night, at the clubs
dinner i'm celebration of Queen Vic
toria's SOth birthday, cXMinister to
siam John Barrett told a piece of hith-
crto unpublished war history. We say
unpublished because while the same
facts have been hinted at they have
never as yet been made public on
adequate authority. The incident is
worthy of explanation in MIR. Barrett $
own words. Said he:
"On this occasion and in connection
with what Admiral Sampson has said of
tho generous attitude of our British
friends in the West Indies. it is fitting
that something should be said of the
treatment we received at Hong Kong
through the war. We were so far away
in Manila fiOm any American port that
the attitude of British officials at Hong
Kong had a most direct bearing on the
welfare of our fleet in the Philippines.
doubt If the extent of this Kindness ana
its grave Importance have ever been APP
prcciatcd in America. 1t was so marked,
50 cordial, so generous, and yet so free
from any signs of insinccrity and from
any attempt at OVERRIDING that every
man in our navy, from admiral down to
stOkcr, appreciated what was DONE and
will never forget it.
'1f | am earnest in my terms, it was
because | was on the ground and saw
what was done end how dependent we
were on British fricndliness. and yet |
shall use no terms stronger than l re-
peatcdly heard Admiral Dewey use in dis
CuSsing the situation. These British Off
cials may have been prompted by policy,
|
was policy and not sympathy that i'm
PEELED them, they are past masters in
the art of assembling. Whether policy
or not, it was most fortunate for the hap
pness and well being of the navy that
conditions were not reversed Had an
unfriCndly power been in control of Hong
Kong our long stay in Manila would have
been one of great discomfort and posi-
bly, serious embarrassment. If any one
is skCptical Of my statements, let him
| seek confirmation from any naval officer
who was in the ASiatic station from
April to August, 1898, or during the war.
"Onc incident | will relate, if you will
bear with me, which shows an amusing
as we'll rs serious side of this kindness.
The dispatch boat Satiro came up from
Manila toward the end of May for somo
shore grub or provisions for the fleet.
All supplies carried down when the ships
|
needed fresh food. They had to have it
or sickness would surely follow. Mono
! could be obtained at Manila the only
| place to go was Hong Kong. There was
| no alternative. Now the rules of neu-
| trality permit Il few dolicacies to be pur-
| chased for the admiral or officers of a
| ship, but not 300 tons of supplies for a
| whole squadron.
"The officer in charge of the Safiro was
It hfN1 l,,N ,,,,t
| ter, While trying to get off one small
| bCatlOad of supplies To tn" ship he had
| been stopped by a police officer. who sal !
| that such shipments could not be per-
| mittcd. lie told me his troubles and,
! happening to know well the acting COVER
! nor, General Black. a good old Scotch
man, | went to see him about the mat
| ter. General I said. the SaiirO is IL,
port for a short stay and before return
| ing would like to purchase few deli
cacies for the admiral. Have you any
objections?' 'Delicacies for the admiral?'
repeated the genial governor. why GER
| tainly, no objections. OF course he must
| have them and Just d few, too, for mis-
officers | suppose. | will give orders at
| once for them to passed. course only
| delicacies! and he looked at me with a
| kindly smile
| "a little later, standing on Peddars
| NIdTl, 1 Sd" SIN DlS nBnltIS OF JunkS
| being towed out toward the Safiro. \
| Spanish consular officer came running w
| to a harbor official standing guard and
| exclaimed: Here, stop those boats. They
| are taking off supplies for the American
! fleet-I protest The officer looked down
on him benignantly. and said with a
| drawl: Dont-be-disturbed That--iS-
| all-right.-they are only few delicacies
| for the American admiral ] had to turn
| and smile at the strict execution of the
| letter of the governors command. Bu,
| that is not the end of the story. ! was
not present at its cCLcluSion. but | heard
on good authority that the Spanish con
sui, on hearing what was going on, rushed
| up to the government house and violently
| protested. The governor never lost his
| tact and urbanity and immediatelS
quctcd his Christian maicsty's excited
| servant by saying: Don't be troubled
Mr.. Consul They are only a few delica'
cies for Admiral Dewey, and he is taking
| along small extra supply in order tC
send some to General Augustine ana Adj
miral Won Diedrichs.'
After reading the foregoing we car
better understand tho warmth will
which the American naval officers al
the Washington peace jubilee thi;
| week applauded the bands which
played the new Sousa composition
Hands Across the Sea"
!