Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-01
REUNION OF THE OFFICERS
Will Meet According to the Annual
Custom.
Has Been Preparing a Narrative Of
a Battle Which Had Far
reaching Results.

tl8nt years ago To-Day ADMIRAL dewey ue-
feated the Spapiards In Manila bay. and
tonight two dozen OF the officers who were
with Dewey on May 1. 1898, will hold an
annual celebration. It is a regular thing
In Washington. this May day dinner, and
the affair tonight will be a celebration.
Admiral Dewey held something Ike q re-
ception in his Offices today. when a great
many friends came in to pay their respects
and offer their congratulations.
Those who will attend the dinner tonight
are Admiral ]. D. Ford. retired: Com
mander T. B. Howard. Commander r. T.
Hail. Lieut.. Commander H. H. Caldwell.
Lieut.. Commander J. NJ. Ellicott, Mr.. J. r.
McCutcheon. Representative Loud, Mr.. f.
D. Hardin, Admiral Inch. retired; Lieut..
Commander Kaemmerling, Rear Admiral
7, B Coghlan, Lieut. Kavanaush Capt:
Corps, Rear Admiral Asa Walker. Lieut.
Commander Gibson, retired: Commander
v. s. Nelson. Pay Director j. r. Martin.
Pay Director Gait, Commander +. III.
Bailey, Commander B. w. Hodges, Lieut..
Commander s. s. Robinson and Capt. Col
vocoresses. The three civilians mentioned
were with the feet at Manila bay.
The admiral looks exceptionally Well ana
will probably enjoy many another anniyer-
sary.
Today he talked Of his victory He said
that he believed that as the day of the VIC
Importance of it grows bigger in the eyes OF
EVERY year that passes" Admiral Dewey
said makes me think that the people OF
the Importance Of the victory Of the Ameri-
can fleet eight years ago, bringing about,
as 1t did, the possession of the Philippines
by the United States.
Must Hold the Philippines.
There are those who say that we should
give up the Philippines, but think that II
we want the trade Of the Pacific. and we
certainly do want 1t, We must hold the
Philippines. They are essential to our sue
cess in commerce in the Pacific, as we have
them for a base which is invaluable. Spain
for hundreds Of years had an immense
commerce with the far east, and her sue
cess was due to the possession of the Phil
ippines It is essential that we have base
for our army and our navy In the lar east.
1.-THE people of the nation appreciate more
and more the value of the islands and the
work done by the officers and men OF the
American feet on that day"
Admiral Dewey has written the whole his
tory of the battle at Manila bay. but 1t is
locked away and will not be published. at
least not for a long time. He has spen,
months preparing it. and the chronicle IS
compiled not only from his own recoilec-
lions. but from official records logs and the
memories of other officers. Today he told
The Battle Recalled.
when we were at Hongkong our situa-
ton was critical. We had but little am
muniticn and had It not been for the time
" arrival Of the cruiser Baltimore forty
eight hours before our departure We would
have been in a serious predicament. The
Baltimore came from Honolulu, coming on
to Hongkong in nine days at top speed.
AS 1t was was had only half the regular
war allowance of ammunition. When we
passed up and down In front of the spanish
feet five times and then withdrew, for
breakfast so it was reported, We were really
going to see how much ammunition re-
manned. There was but little, and 1t was
q sorry lot that went to 'breakrast That
morning. But we had our opponents beaten
then, although we did not know 1t at the
time
There are many stories going the rounds
today of the big fight. as there always are
on the first Of May of each year one con-
Germs Admiral Dewey's dislike for pate De
fol gras since the DAY OF battle. The fires
were out that morning and breakfast was
hard to get. The ad1nirafs Chinese COOK
prepared q little something as well as ne
could, including dish OF lukewarm paee oe
fol oras His effort was not success. anu
after one taste the admiral gave 1t up.
Since that effort he has been unable 10
even think OF touching what before then he
liked and considered delicacy.
Another story concerns the cables which
Admiral Dewey purposely cut When Ad-
miral Dewey reached Manila he knew OF
only one cable. He cut that without hesita-
ton. Later on. after the blockade had been
fully established. the captain OF steamer
whom the admiral had permitted to carry
refugees from Manila to Hong Kong came
aboard ship The captain was grateful to
the admiral for allowing him to carry the
refugees at big prices, and wanted TO make
another trip, but Admiral Dewey said no.
Then the merchantmen captain said: Il
hear you have cut the cables"
Yes" said Admiral Dewey.
(which cabIe?" said the sailor.
Admiral Dewey looked at him. "Is there
more than one?'
There is" the other responded, and In
three hours the other cable also was cut
and communication between the Philippines
and the outer world was completely sew
cred.
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