The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-16
DEWEY'S POSITION STATED.
DEFINES HIS ATTITUDE ON IMPOR-
TANT PUBLIC QUESTION.
Says Possession of Philippines Is q
Powerful Aid TO American Rights
In China and 1t should De Re-
tained-Not n Candidate for once.

NEW YORK. June l5.-The Herald's
Washington correspondent sends a re-
port Of an interview with Admiral Dewey,
in which he Is represented as confesstng
that his presidential prospects are not
good. He said:
Some time ago the leaders, or those
whom we have always regarded as the
leaders. asked me II 1 would allow my
name. to be used in connection with the
presidency.
several weeks. / said Yes and accord.
ingly announced that II the people wanted
me TO serve in that capacity l would
But / thank God they do not appear
to want me. In these days the people
do not select the president. The choice
Is now made by few political leaders
who put their heads together and Ak
up their slate before the convention as
sernbles"
Admiral Dewey recalled that in former
days IL was customary for the candidate
before national convention receiving the
next highest number Of votes to the sue
cessful man, TO receive the nomination
for vice president and that meant sue
cession to the presidency II the party
continued In power.
This led the admiral to the question
whether he would accept the nomination
for vice president. He said some of his
very best friends had urged him to make
formal announcement that he would
accept second place on the ticket with
Mr.. Bryan. This he had declined to do,
on the ground that the nomination has
not been rendered him.
Admiral Dewey is entirely familiar with
the, situation In China. When asked the
direct question: What Is likely TO be
the outcome Of the present complications
in China?" the admiral shook his head
as II uncertain about venturing an opin-
lon
THE situation in China" he said, IT
regard as a very serious one indeed. I
can only see one outcome as the result
OF the conflict now in progress in China
and that Is the adoption of the Ameri-
can policy In favor of open ports for
American commerce on equal terms with
all the other commercial nations OF the
world
1T must come TO that eventually. and
II is fortunate that we are in a position
TO say TO the nations OF Europe: We are
This would not have been possible"
continued the admiral. had It not been
for the result of the Spanish war. 1t
seems that God is with us In making IL
possible to have at the moment the larg-
est army Of men and the most formidable
Heet Of ships right on the spot to enforce
our rights and see that American inter-
ests are projected.
Not only have we an army OF over
5000 trained soldiers at the very gate
OF the Orient. but we are the only nation
a
river II seems like 4 special dispensa-
tion of Providence for us to have two of
our Eunboats which are capable of navt-
eating these waters on the spot under
going minor repairs.
why" exclaimed the admiral. 'in
many parts of China the Chinese are TAX
ing American -four in preference to rice
and all kinds of American products find
a ready market all the time and now that
we have the Philippines. we are right
at the very door of this rich field OF com
Then you sincerely believe In our re-
tention OF the Philippines the admiral
was asked
Most assurediy I do" was the prompt
reply. Had II not been for our acqui-
sition OF those islands II would not have
been. possible to have the ighting force
IN those waters today and we would
have been ignored i'm the deliberations
now daily held by the representative Of
the great nations OF Europe relative 10
Chinat the same as IL we were of the
smaller countries OF South America
Not only am | Interested in the sub
ject as an American citizen. but / have
a number of dear. warm friends actively
Vice Admiral Seymour. who Is In person.
AZ command OF the British fleet I pray
..od they are not going 10 massacre him
re was with me when | saw AguinaIdo
ana seymour advised the Filipino chief
TO tie to the Americans.
kempn's knowledge of the German
language enables him to pnrticipate in
the consultations which the commanders
NJ the respective forces hold daily and
he IL able to keep his government we'll
advised OF what occurs. without the aid
of an interpreter. IIe IL fortunate in
having with him Capt McCaua. who is
one Of the most daring and brilliant ON
n he