Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-12
|ONAN VISITS DEWEY
Consul Mahin Visits the Great Ad.
miral Aboard the Olympia at
Triest.
Former Clinton Editor Writes In.
terestingly of the Notable DC:
casion- The Banquet.
Big Dinner Was Given In Honor
Of the Hero-Dewey's
Modesty.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Tines Republican.
Clinton. Aug. 12.-Colonel T. w.
Mahin, formerly of this city, now
/ United States consul of Reichenburg,
Austria, who was one of the reception
committee which met Admiral Dewey
by invitation of Minister Harris, writes
an interesting letter relative to his visit
with the admiral and also speaks of the
4 better feeling which prevails in Austria
toward this country, saying:
An Iowa man, Consul Hossfeld. Of
Triest. former secretary of Governor
Larrabee, was the first person to grasp
Admiral Dewey's hand in European
waters. The American officials present
called in a body three hours later-Min-
lister Harris, his secretary, Mr.. Herd
liska. Congressman Foss, of Chicago,
United States Naval Attache- Beehler.
of Vienna, Consul Hossfled and myself.
While we Were on board the Olympia
the German consul general at Triest
called on the admiral. Official etiquette,
we understood, did not demand this
call. and therefore, in view of the un-
pheasant German incident at Manila, we
considered 1t significant. Both the ad-
Imiral and the consul general evidently
4 enjoyed the meeting.
Foolish and untrue reports were tel
egraphed to European waters-perhaps
j also to America that the admirals S
health was wreck, that he must go TO
carlsbad for treatment, and so on. He
seemed to us In perfect health, and his
town statement coroborated appear
anees. He had gained eight pounds in
| weieht-a pound week-since leaving
Manila, and declared himself sound and
vigorous In every respect. He was also
in high spirits, evidently enjoying, as
only SO warm and lively a temperament
las his could enjoy, the we'll earned high
honors which the whole world was
showering upon him.
Until reaching Triest the admiral
had strictly adhered to his resolution
to accept no invitations to banquets
But a Triest there was special occasion
Ito suspend the rule. The United States
government was there represented by
an official so high in rank as minister
plenipotentiary, who had Travelled
/ through heat and dust 36i miles espe-
Icially TO greet the hero of Manila bay
Even had he been so disposed, Admiral
Dewey would hardly have declined
Minister Harris invitation TO dinner.
but no indiiposit;on to accept the invi-
/ tat!on was in evidence.
Evidently, too, the admiral enjoyed
Ibeing surrounded by Americans TO
whom he could talk freely, without fear
that words intended for privacy would
be given publicity So the admiral Went
ashore with the Olympia's officers and
dined at the hotel with Minister Harris
and the other Americans named abovs,
and if he did not have the Thoroughly
| good time that all the rest did he is as
great an actor as fighter. The next
leyening the American officials We're
ldined by the admiral on the Olympia
"As Admiral Dewey appeared to US
and better post of observation could not
be had-he is quick, nervous and I'm
lpulsive. II deficient in courage and
mental balance, he would constantly
iblunder in speech and action. But his
mental poise is such as TO be an adlnira-
Bile complement to his temperament
! Like flash he reaches the right conclu-
| sion, says the right thing, and does the
fright thing. He is lively and Interesting
! il conversation, but says he can not
make a speech and has dreaded the
Homecoming especially on that ac-
count. The fear that he would e5e ex-
pected to respond TO toasts has sat
upon him like nightmare. But he was
assured that his fellow countrymer.
would be fully satisfied merely to gaze
ION their idol manifestly to his relies
land qualification.
Twice before, years ago, Admiral
Dewey had been at Trieste, and he had
a liking for the place. He said. besides,
he was pleased with the strict neutral
lity observed by the Austrian flag in tfle
east. Certainly there is row Il kindly
feeling toward the admiral in this em-
pire. 1t is reflected in the press and
heard everywhere in conversation. y
Reich henberg paper. hitherto rather un-
friendly toward the United States, irri-
tating me so that l was often On tne
point of stopping it. now goes to the
length of making an invidious compari-
son bewteen Austrian and American
naval officers.
1T relates that just before Admiral
Dewey arrived at Trieste Admiral
Spaun of the Austrian navy was on his
flagship. Several American correspond
ents went out TO the ship in a boat and
respectfully asked the officer in charge
if they could see Admiral Spaun, telling
who they were. The officer was evil
IDENTIFY astonished at their presumption,
and told them emphatically that the
admiral did not see reporters. Then
they asked respectfully if the officer
would give their cards to the admiral
To this he vouchsafed only a .Nein' so
decided that the correspondents left
The next day Admiral Dewey ar
rived. A party of Italian reporters
rowed to the Olympia. Presenting their
cards to the officer at the gangway they
We're received with cordiality and invit-
ed aboard. Asking if they could see
Admiral Dewey they were told Certain
ly.' An orderly was sent to the admiral,
who at once appeared, grasped them
warmly by the hand, and invited them
into his cabin Then he told the Italian
reporters: Make yourselves at home.
My cabin is yours
The coming of the admiral to Triest
was fine stroke Of policy, though ap-
parently he did not intend 1t as such.
Whatever antagonism has hitherto ex-