Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-05-01

Some Little Known Things CROWNS
ont Of Famous Battle of 1898.


ont Of Famous Battle Of 1898.
Nine years this morning since the battle
Of Manila Bay, when the Philippine islands
got their first bit Of acquaintance with the
Americans Nine years tonight since the
extra newspapers announced to the ex-
pectant world the unbelievable and start
ling fact that the American squadron.
under Commodore Dewey had destroyed
the entire Spanish squadron under Rear
Admiral Montojo, without the loss OF an
American life and with only slight injuries
90 American ships.
The results Of the battle, so far as they
relate to changes In the geography Of the
world and to the promotion of the chief
figure from the grade Of commodore to
that Of admiral of the navy, are familiar
enough to most Americans. and they have
not been slow to show to the admiral that
they appreciate shakespeares saying, "A
victory is twice itself when the achiever
brings home full numbers"
But there are numerous other results, or
occurrences, which have grown out Of the
battle of Manila Bay, Of which the pub
lie has heard little or nothing.
On every May day those Of the officers
taking part in the battle who are in or
near Washington gather for dinner, and II
is needless to say that It is a good one.
This annual gathering is to be kept up
as long as two Of the officers are left
who can possibly get together. The ON
GERS discuss over and over again various
incidents connected with the battle and
with the anxious days preceding and fol-
lowing It; but the details Of their talks are
pever reported, for no outsider ever by
any means gets within the precincts Of the
dining room. The admiral's Chinese stew
ard. All Nav, himself participant in the
battle waits on the diners, wearing his
long, stately Chinese robes A famous
cigarmaker in New York sends every year
a box OF cigars specially for the OCCASION
each wrapped and labeled as an anniver-
sary souvenir. All Nav passes these
around. but It is noticed that few Of them
are smoked. the officers preferring to keep
them in remembrance Of the occasion.
OF the captains OF the ships taking part
in the battle, three have died-Gridley of
the Olympia, Wildes OF the Boston and
Wood of the Petrol. Dyer Of the Balti-
more is now retired rear admiral, as is
also Coghlan of the Raleigh though the
latter-ts still in command Of the New York
navy yard. and Walker of-the Concord.
now the only one OF the captains remain
ing on the active list, is rear admiral
and superintendent of the Naval Observa-
tory in Washington.
On board the various ships Of the Amer
lean squadron were several Cinnamon. en-
listed as servants in various ratings, prob
ably twenty or twenty-five in all What
ever their feelings or fears may have been,
they took their part in the battle, and
there Is no record that any one of them
failed in his duty on that eventTul day
Some OF them had been in the navy for
many years and are stin In the service
Each of them afterward received his medal
commemorative of the event. but further
than that his status was not changed.
Soon after the battle Admiral Dewey rec
commended that congress be asked TO per-
init these men. who had borne arms for
America to become American citizens II
they wished to do so; but so strong was
the national prejudice against the admis-
sion Of Chinese into this country that no
action was ever taken upon the recon-
mendation, although 1t was vigorously re-
newed after the admirals return to Wash
ington The admiral's personal attendant
All Nav. Is still an enlisted man in the
navy, having the rating of steward to the
commander-in-chief; but II he did not re-
enlist at the expiration of his term he
would have no status whatever in America
and would be obliged to leave the country,
Notwithstanding his many years of faithful
service to the great naval leader.
Even more unfortunate than the China
men is Albert NJ. Wilton, master of the
steamer Zafiro. This steamer was pur-
chased by Commodore Dewey, on the
Asiatic squadron, in April, 1898, for use
as a collier and supply vessel, and accom-
panied his squadron to Manila Its mas
ter, Mr. Wilton. was a British subject,
and Immediately upon the purchase of his
vessel for American service he declared to
Commodore Dewey his wish to become an
American citizen. In the nine years which
have elapsed Mr.. Wilton has been con-
tinuously employed, in a civil capacity, as
master of the Zafiro. but the vessel has
been all OF this time on the Asiatic sta
ton, so that he has had no opportunity to
apply to United States court for natural
ization. Congress has made no provision
for naturalization Of would-be Americans
in the Philippines, and although strong
appeals have been made to congress for
special act naturalizing Mr.. Whitton, no
action has been taken, and he remains as
he was nine years ago, a British subject
unwillingly, though in the service of the
United States.
The bloodless taking of IIoilo IL often