Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-04
DEWEY WOULD RUN
The Admiral May Become a Presi-
dental Candidate.
PROBABLY as An INDEPENDENT
Gossip of the Politicians Over the
Announcement.
MIR. M'LEAN'S INTER EST

Lieut. Caldwell, Admiral Dewey's secre-
tary confirms as authorized the announce
Inent that Admiral Dewey is willing to
accept a nomination for the presidency.
Tn announcement of Admiral Dewey
that he is ready to enter the field as cam
didate for the presidency is not received
with bounding joy by the practical poll
ticians of either party in Congress nor by
the friends of the President in official life.
The vagucness of the announcement as to
the question of which party he looks to for
thu nomination leaves all in doubt as to
which chief should lower his visor 1t is
not thought there is the least chance of
his seizing the nomination from the grasp
of either President Mckinley or Mr.. Bryan.
nor can it be assumed that he expects to
b.. able to do so.
As an Independent Candidate.
It is therefore inferred that his idea is
that he may be nominated as an independ-
"nt candidate to run against both the old
parties. Consultations among some of the
admirals friends early in February turned
upon the idea that he could stand out
candidate above party. drawing support
from all quarters, and the fact that he now
makes announcement that he is willing to
he a candidate leads to the inference that
his forces. whatever they are composed Of
are already organized and that there is
to be an Independent convention called to
put him in nomination.
There is much uncertainty as to which
Of the old parties would have most to fear
from his running as an independent candi-
date. II. in fact, either would suffer much.
In some quarters 1t IS believed that Mr.
John X. Mclean is at the bottom of the
movement. and there opinion differs as to
whether it is aimed at Bryan or at Nc
kinney Mclean is suspected of not being
true to Bryan. but this suspicion is tenn
de- Of uba Mr.
Mcl4ean's interests lie. Good judges of
political matters say that whether he likes
Bryan or not his interests will be best
served by Bryan's election. They say that
MS only political prospect lies in support
ing Bryan Loyalty and helping to secure
ms election. with the hope of being pow
erful with the administration If Bryan
should be elected and of himself securing
the nomination az the end of four years
II IS believed that a better insight to his
motives, If he is responsible for Admiral
Dewey change of attitude can be had If
Viewed in connection with this theory than
any other.
Opinion of Politicians
Politicians do not believe that Dewey can
make i good run for the presidency, though
II IS conceded that he might draw the NAL
c"utf nts from both parties 1t is assumed
that the storm of protest against the re-
Publican policy with reference to Porto
Rico has had much to do with the admirars
UNI" comes from both gold democrats or
democrats who are anti-Bryan for any rea-
sou. and from republicans who have been
'pp"sing the administration so openly that
th"y cannot well be active in supp0rt Of
ih'' Il ktt this fall
An Alleged Signed Interview.
The New York World today publishes
AN interview. which it authenticates bv
saying y World correspondent saw the
admiral at his home. at No. 174T Rhode
island avenue, at o'clock this evening.
-,'m'r'I Dewey dictated the answers to the
"iutr Questions and signed the notes"
In" Interview is as follows
Admiral. in view of the many conflict
- 5P''its rtiaJlFe to your attitude to-
war "a, nomination for the presidency. Will
!"'I make a statement to the WOrld5"
A"s. ! realize that the time has arrived
"nGn l must definitely define my position
W h-l l arrived in this country last SEN
'-mber | said then that nothing would in
'Hce me To BE- candidate for the presi
dency- ~
Since then, however I have had the
tiTuFt anu inclination 10 study the matter
anu nave reached different conclusion.
lnHSmuch As SO many assurances have come
I" m" from my countrymen that | would
DE- acceptable as candidate for this great
~ The American people want me for this
hlsh ONE" shall be only too willing to
serve them. 90
III l. the highest honor in the Gift If
thL- nation, what citizen would refuse it
SlH'" studying this subject | am con-
NIhIea mat the office of the President is not
80 d very dlftcult one to ill, his duties
gress. VI N''i-
should ! he chosen for this exalted posi
non ! would execute the laws Of Congress.
- faithfully as | have always executed the
orders Of my superiors.''
is there any political significance in vour
tipS west the World correspondent asked
No. am simply filling the ena,agements
mad" months ago-Iong before eI.ar
th'uSht seriously Of the presidency"
ON what platform will you stand:'
Il think | have said enough az ,b;.
iiin". and possibly too much"
Indifference of Politician.
Prominent politicians and statesmen who
visited the White House TODAY showed tbs
greatest Indifference to the announcement
mat Admiral Dewey is ready to accept a
domination for the presidency They rnads
II" mention Of the intentions of the admiral
unless asked their opinions, and then they
mad little 10 say In fact the matter Great
81 practically no interest.
Ne President said nothing to any Of his
callers about his remotely possible rival
am even Senator Hanna could not be led
4if1 r. marks on the subject There is a
i'"H'S among men who study and live
IN politics that If Admiral Dewey had
u 'K'-'I This way four or five months ago
a." might nave materially changed the 20
hin'al aspect, but that things are too far
'"'i upon now Tor new to
H-ks any figure
IT," &C. r'ainly will not be nominated by
'' frbH.d!cans. and it is not thought even
- i"IrWicans themselves that he could de-
l. u an and secure democratic nomi-
nation That being the case what conven-
'j"' VII dominate him? THIS Is the pointed
question asked.
Surprise In the Navy Department.
None IF the officials or naval officers at
the Navy Department cared to express
publicly any opinion to Admiral Deweys
announcement But 1t was plain to be seen
that IN" announcement created profound
surprise In every circle. The impression
prevails that. regardless Of the outcome OF
tn admirals movement. from a political
point Of view. his entrance into the arena
q politics marks a termination of his ac-
tyitisS in the navy.
Not that 1t is believed that his retirement
IS impending. but it Is felt that. engrossed
as he will be in his other aspirations the
admiral will not be able to spare the time
necessary for the discharge of purely naval
dGties- Indeed, II is intimated that he prac-
Indicated fn a-fth