Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-05
DEWEY OUR HIGHEST OFFICER.
He Ranks All Others I'm Both Nav,
and Army.
~ lIngt0n Sflr.

wv dSnluStou starr
AS admiral Of the navy, Admiral Dewey
IS the highest ranking officer OF the mill
tary service OF the United States. army.
navy. or marine corps. He holds a rank
corresponding with that Of General Grant
when he was general of the army, and as
such outranks Major-Gencral Miles. com
handing the army. and all the other ma
jOr-generals, including, Of course, Major
General Otis, commanding the military
forces in the Philippines His pay and
allowances will amount 10 nearly $1,000
d year.
Admiral Dewey will be instructed 10
hoist his flag as admiral, wear the uni
form OF that rank, and perform all the
official functions pertaining thereto. The
selection of the uniform will be left TO
his own judgment, except that according
to the regulations his shoulder straps
will be decorated by four stars the end
stars being embroidered over foul am
chorS seven eghths Of an inch long.
When he HOSTS the flag OF all admiral,
the ships of his squadron will fire
salute OF seventeen guns, and the drum
corps will sound four rufiles and -four
ishes in honor OF the occasion.
Under the terms Of the bill creating him
an admiral Admiral Dewey may continue
i'm active service until he dies. as he can
not be retired. except upon his own ap-
plicatiOn. Inasmuch as naval officers are
loath TO admit their incapacity for active
service, it is a safe assumption that Adj
miral Dewey will remain on the active
list as the ranking officer Of the navy
until his death. But for the action OF
Congress he would be rclesated 10 the
o. n. rlrf .Il
date he will reach tho age of 62 years.
1t is possible that Admiral Dewey may BE-
relieved of his command at Manila and
called to Washington for the reason that
it is unusual and unprecedented for the
ranking officer i'm service TO accept
subordinate office. such as the command
of a single fleet or station.
MAY LEAVE MANILA.
II the precedent established in the cases
of Admirals Farragut and Porter is fol
lowed Admiral Dewey, as the admiral
commanding the navy. will be assigned
TO duty in Washington, as an advisor 90
the Secretary OF the Navy. holding such
posltion independent Of the bureau chiefs
and other officials Of the Navy Depart
ment.
In view Of the critical condition OF af-
fairs I'm the Philippines Il is not likely
however. that Admiral Dewey Will be re-
lieved from his present command very
soon. or. az least. not until American
sovereignty has been firmly established
i'm that quarter Although Admiral Dewey
will rank MajOr-General Otis IN all JOINT
operations Of the army and navy III Inc
Philippines, II is not at all likely thas
there will be any friction or CONNECT Oh
authority between the two oficers' VIM
are known 20 be In thorough ACCORD in
the conduct OF the campaign agalhst 'h0
Fnipinos. Major-General otis VIII be SUI
preme in command Of the military forces
when acting Independently OF the navy,
and will only be subject TO the orders OF
Admiral Dewey when it becomes nsces-
sory 10 combine in joint attack on the
enemy. .ho,,b .ra
II IS stated as singular iact tnat lnere
&c not an American admiraTs neg on
hoard n single ship OF the navy ana until ,,i
90 10 nrovideJ Admiral Dewey VIII
have 10 content himself Win suosa'
into The regulation nag Tor an "uln lu -
disnlovs four white stars IN each eol Nv,
os S,ne field. Steps viii be taken az
once 70 provide such flags Tor the use
% the navy. as IT VIII be necessary ~
VI WV nc on each ship to meet the new
| conditions.