New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-01
WHAT DEWEY SAID
ABOUT THE GERMANS
Quotations from Admiral's Auto
biography Relating to Incl
dents in Manila Blockade.

Admiral Dewey in his autobiography
wrote: I'm the latter part of June and the
early days Of July the Germans, with the
industry with which they aim TO make
their navy efficient, were keeping very
busy. ! saw that they did not mean to
accept my Interpretation Of the laws Of
blockade German officers frequently
landed in Manila, where they were on the
most cordial terms with the Spaniards,
who paid them marked attention. and,
the wish fathering the thought, the talk
of the town was that the Germans would
intervene in favor OF Spain. II was well
known that Vice-Admiral Won Diederichs
had officially visited the Spanish captain
general I'm Manila, who had returned the
call at night. No other senior foreign
naval officer had exchanged visits with
the captain general. other Spanish Off
Gals called on the Germans and were sa-
luted by the German vessels, those salutes
being returned by the Spanish batteries
on shore: but they did not call on the
other senior officers present so far as /
know. and certainly We're not saluted if
they did.
Not only did the German officers fire.
auently visit the Spanish troops and out
posts. thus familiarizing themselves with
the envlrons Of Manila, but a Prince
I,owenstein was taken off TO the Kaiserin
Augusta by one of Aguinaldo's staff"
Here Admiral Dewey includes extracts
from the log of the Olympia showing the
actions of the German vessels and con-
tinues:
Finally. without my permission, they
landed their men for drill at Mariveles
Harbor, opposite Corregidor and Boca
Chica, at the entrance 10 the bay. and
took possession Of the quarantine station,
while Admiral Won Diederichs occupied a
large house which had been the quarters
of the Spanish officials. on July |
hoisted my flag on the McCuloch and
steamed around the German ships an
chored In Marivales, without. however,
communicating with the German admiral,
while I trusted that he might understand
that did not view his proceeding with
favor"
Even before our nag was flying over
Isla Grande, although we had not yet
received the news, Americans at home
were rejoicing over our naval victory at
Santiago, and Camara had been recalled
TO Spain. / was glad of an opportunity
Of stating my position with perfect can
dor to Admiral Won Diederichs, yet in a
diplomatic fashion which could not be
personally offensive to him, howev ar
positive he was in his views about tho
rights of neutrals in blockaded port
Already there had been n correspondence
between us in which, in keeping with the
accepted authorities on international law
including the German Perels, who had
ectured at the Imperial German Naval
Academy, at Kiel. ] maintained my right
of blockade I'm boarding all vessels. in
Guiding men Of war. Or. I'm my own
words I'm one letter to Vfce-Admiral yon
Diederichs:
LAS state Of war exists between the
United States and Spain. and as the entry
into this blockaded port Of the vessels of
war OF a neutral is permitted by the
blockading squadron as a matter OF in
ternational courtesy. such neutrals should
necessarily satisfy the blockading ves-
sells as TO their identity. | distinctly dis
claim any intention OF exercising or
claiming the droit de visite of neutral
vessels OF war What do claim IS the
right TO communicate with all vessels en-
tering this port. row blockaded with the
forces under my command 1t could
easily be possible that II was the duty of
the picket vessel TO notify incoming men
OF war that they could not enter the port.
not on account OF the blockade. but The
Intervention OF my lines Of attack
"Nice-Admiral Won Diederichs. I'm denial
OF the right. had notified us that he
would submit the point to conference of
all the senior officers OF tho men OF war
I'm the harbor. But only one officer an
peared. Captain Chichester. OF the Brit
fish Immortalite. lie informed the Ger
man commander that | was acting en-
tirely within my rights"
After relating how Flag Lieutenant
Brumby had failed TO set a German veg
sci TO heave 10 before he fired a shot
across her bow. Admiral Dewey con-
cludes:
ION the following day Vice Admiral
Won Diederichs sent "a capable, tactful
young officer OF his staff to me with
memorandum OF grievances. When
had heard them through made the most
OF the occasion by using him az "A third
person 10 state candldly and firmly my
attitude in a verbal message which no