The Washington herald., 1907-05-01

Nine years ago this morning the battle
OF Manila Bay was fought, and the Phil
ippine Islands got their first bit o.
acquaintance with the Americans. Nine
years ago tonight the extra newspapers
announced 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 in
juries to 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 eommo-
dore 10 that Of Admiral Of the Navy. are
familiar enough 10 most Americans. and
they have not been slow TO show TO the
admiral that they appreciate Shake
speare's saying, "A victory is twice IT.
self when the achiever brings home fun
numbers"
But there are numerous other results
Of which the public 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. This
annual gathering Is 10 be kept up as long
as two OF the officers are left who can
possibly get together The officers dis
cuss over and over again various Incl
dents connected with the battle, and
with the anxious days preceding and fol-
lowing II; but the details Of their talks
are never printed, for no outsider ever,
by any means. gets within the precincts
Of the dining room. The admiraIs Chinese
steward. An Nav, himself a participant
IN the battle, waits on the diners, wear
ing his long. stately Chinese robes. 4
famous cigarmaker in New York sends
every year a box Of cigars specially
made for the occasion, each wrapped and
labelled as an anniversary souvenir An
Nav passes these around, but il IS no
ticed that few of them are smoked. the
officers preferring 10 keep them in re-
membrance Of the occasion.
Three Captains Now Living.
OF the captains Of the ships taking part
Ia the battle. three have died-Gridley, OF
the Olympia; Wilde Of the Boston. and
Wood. Of the Petrol Dyer. OF the Balt-
more. is now a retired rear admiral. as
is also Coghlan. Of the Raleigh. though
the latter Is still In command Of the New
York Navy Yard; and Walker, Of the
Concord, now the only one Of the cap
tains remaining on the active list. is
rear admiral and superintendent Of the
Naval Observatory ia Washington.
on board the various ships Of the Amer
lean squadron were several Cinnamon, en-
listed as servants IN various ratings,
probably twenty or twenty-five in ali.
Whatever 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
day. Some Of them had been in the navy
for many years and are srll la the serv-
ice. Each Of them afterward received
his medal commemorative of the event,
but further than that hts status was not
changed. soon after the battle Admiral
Dewey recommended that Congress be
asked TO permit these men, who had
borne arms for America, 10 become
American citizens If they wished to do
SO; but so strong was the national preju-
dice against the admission Of Chinese into
this country that no action was ever
taken upon the recommendation. although
It was vigorously renewed after the Ad-
mirals return 10 Washington.
The Admirals personal attendant An
Nav, is still an enlisted man in the navy,