The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-14

that Admiral Dewey is breaking down
and cannot last a month longer, Sec
rotary Long said that he had no 1nfor-
nation whatever on this point. The
stories Of the admiral's ill-health have
been in circulation with more or less
persistency for the past four months.
They are all traceable to private re-
ports. and though officers Of the navy
who have returned from Manila state
ethat Dewey's health, so far as II could
be gagged from his appearance, seems
to be about the same as it has been for
the past years, they agree that the pri-
waite reports probably have a fair ba-
sis Of fact.
1t is not denied by these officers that
the admiral has aged in appearance
notably within the past year: his hair
is undoubtedly whittier and his figure
shows signs of that which
might be expected to come with ad-
vancing years. Dewey will be 62 years
old next December, and for many years
has not been a strong man physically.
Meantime, he has had imposed upon
him the most severe and exacting du-
ties, so that it is but natural that his
frail physique should show the effect
of the tremendous strain.
1t is said by persons familiar with the
Philippine climate that the second year
is the hardest to bear for a Caucas-
ian, and Dewey soon Will Degln ms
second year there. In addition to this,
he labors under the drawback of haV-
ing undergone a most severe surgical
operation for the relief of his liver. a
man needs a sound liver in the Philip
pines of all places. These facts lead
naval officers to believe the reports that
Dewey is showing signs OF the physical
strain.
On the other hand, as already stated
there is absolutely no official evidence
on file at the department to show that
this is true. A full medical history or
Admiral 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 as we'll as the results of the
physical he has under
gone when he has been promoted from
time to time. But these do not dis
close any complaint at this time; the
admiral has not been made the subject
of a sick report since he went to Ma
Mia.
y Some time ago the president feared
that the great strain he was under
might over-tax him, so cabled Dewey
through Secretary Long permission to
return to the United States. The ad-
miral declined to avail himself of this
permission and asked permission to
stay, saying that in his opinion duty
required that he should finish the task
he had begun at Manila. The presl-
dent accepted this statement and Dew
ey remains by his own wish. He is
free to return to the United States
whenever he cares to do so, and the
department will relieve him by cabled
orders. In that case Captain N. II.
Dyer, the commander of the Baltimore,
who is the senior captain on the Asiatic
station, would ave of the
American squadron temporarily and
probably would be relieved, later, by
one of the rear admirals recently Great
ed, nearly all of whom are anxious to
assume active flag rank before retire
ment.
NEW MAJOR AND BRIGADIER
GENERALS.
The president has practically made
up the list of the general officers to be
retained in the volunteer branch of the
service. The basis of all the %calcula-
tions is an army of IS, 900 men, for the
president has SO far insisted that he
will not call for volunteers in addition
to that number unless an emergency
should arise. The reorganization acts
limits the number of major generals to
b. appointed to one for each II, 900 men
and the brigadier generals for every
1900 men in actual services:
On his basis, as there are already
three major generals in the army in
the persons of General Miles, General
Brooks and General Merritt, there is
room for but two more. To fill these
two places the president has selecte-
General Shafter and General otis now
in command at Manila.
1t is safe to say that the list of brig
adiers to be appointed will include the
following names: General Woo d at
Santiago; General Wilson, at Matan-
zas; General Lee in the PROVING of
Havana; General Davis, now on duty
with the court of inquiry in the beef
supplies; General Ludlow in command
of Havana city; General LaWtOn, near
ign Manila; General Macarthur, at Ma
Mia; General Chaffee and General
Frank.
AMERICA NEUTRAL IN CHINESE
MATTERS.
The Italian government, through its
representatives in Washington, lately
laid before the authorities here its
urpo to ask of China a port on Sar
Mum bay, and has invited an express
sion from this government as to its
attitude. In response, it is understood
that Secretary Hay, as we'll as the
president, made it clear that the United
States would pursue the same course
as toward the Russian, British anC
German occupation of Chinese ports
namely, disinterested neutrality. The
exchanges have been verbal, n rath'
er informal, more in the nature of dip
lomatic s%oundings than direct propo'
sitions. They w given occasion II
romeo publications, to the effec
that Italy had asked the United State.
to support her demand on China AND
that this government in a pointed note
from Secretary Hay had Fused. i
is stated in an eminent and authorita
tive quarter that Italy made no sucl
request for American support and ha
there was no d~eclination from thii
government.
NEWS FROM MANILA.
Manila, March 9.4:10 p. NTH,
Maritime Steam Navigation Compa
ny's steamer Nustra Sonora del Rosa