The Washington herald., 1911-10-01
JOFN D. LONG TELLS OF THE SPANISH WAR

Dewey in cipher. saying: In the event
of declaration af war with Spain your
duty will be to see that the Spanish
squadron does not leave the Asiatic
coast and then offensive operation in the
Philippines The battle insured the
safety of the Pacific, greatly weakened
Spain at home and abroad, and helped
to bring the war to an end. 1t was nee
essary under the circumstances, yet with
1t We had to take 1,7Oo islands consti-
tuting the Philippine archipelago. and
their 100000 Inhabitants. 1 have gone
on record as saying that stupendous were
the results of that brilliant victory IN
Manila Bay. 1 repeat the statement"
Since then said. that battle it.
self has been described as rather insig
nifiCant.''
Not a single American was killed. It
is true. and only seven Of Dewey's men
were wounded. and az that only slightly.
but We destroyed ten Spanish ships and
silenced three shore batteries. Three hun
dred and eIghty-one Spaniards met death
during the battle. When 1 picked out
Dewey to command the ships on the
Asatic station. President Mckinley
asked: Are you sure that he Is good
man for the place, and that his head is
level?' The selection was not suggested
by any one and was made entirely by
myself. Moreover It was Dewey's turn
impending; nevertheless Dewey began at
once to get information about the sit
uation in the Philippines. I was in
formed as to the number of Spanish ships
in the Pacific, but could not learn their
condition.
Dewey's Victory Was Brilliant.
when Dewey began his search for
Admiral Montojo's squadron he had
only hazy notion Of its location. That
fact should he borne in mind. Further
more he knew that Manila Bay would
be mined and that it was defended by
modern high-power guns, which. We aft
erward learned. could have sunk any OF
the vessels in our own squadron. Dewey
sailed past the sunken mines and at
tackled the Spanish ships and the shore
batteries simultaneously. The facts
show that it was indeed brilliant naval
victory
You might have been nominated for
Vice President in 1907 said. I'm my
own knowledge both Mr.. Mckinley and
Mr.. Hanna would have been glad had
you been chosen by the Philadelphia
convention"
president Mckinley did mention the
matter to me, but only very indefinitely.
He felt. think, that he ought not to
exercise any influence or take any part
| in. the action Of the convention would
no doubt that my nomination would
have been agreeable to him, but I have
no reason to believe he made 1t a sub
! ject OF special interest. Our relations
were exceedingly cordial and warm. He
never gave me to understand. however,
that he wished me nominated, though he
may have said II would be a pleasant
settlement Of the question. I was not
| a candidate for the place and never
mentioned the subject TO him"
Persons having inside knowledge I'M
derstood that Mr.. Mckinley. in 1900, stin
doubted Mr.. Roosevelt. and that he
| secretly wanted the name of Cornelius
n. Bliss on The ticket with his own. Mr..
| Hanna was deputized to bring about the
nomination. but Mrs. Bliss persuaded
! her husband peremptorily to refuse the
! intended honor. Then Gov. Longs name
was very seriously considered.
Time was lost in daily and nightly
negotiations; the West, captivated by
the romantic figure OF San Juan Hill,
| began to shout and parade with banners.
Mr.. Hanna lost control of the situation,
| and Col Roosevelt a wild horse, as he
! was called, became the team mate OF
the alarmed and reliable Mckinley.
Copyright 1911. by James B. Morrow