The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-21
DEWEY AND vow DIEDRICHs.
Friction SAID g Rave Been Dee 70 .
Diplomatic Dlunder.


To rup Eprros o. TINE suN-Str: Since
the almost forgotten story OF the friction
between Admiral Dewey and Admiral Won
Diedrichs In Manila Bay In 1888 naa
been revived through the well known ms
chief maker and hot head, Count Revent-
low. to become . subject OF discussion IN
the Reichstag ct Berlin calculated 70
create M feeling between the two coun-
tries. may b permitted to suggest mere
that the entire affair was due to diplo-
matte rather than to . naval mlsunder-
standingf
Il 10 about time that the misunder-
standing was cleared up, for II 10 doupt.
full whether anything has ever caused
more bad blood on this side OF the At
lantio against Germany than the appear
ance OF the German naval squadron under
Admiral Won Diedriohs In Manila Bay just
after Admiral Dewey's great victory on
that memorable May Day sixteen years
ago. II brought Germany and the United
States to the brink OF war.
The following may constitute an ex.
PLANTATION Of the incident. It seems that
early In 1898, when the conflict between
America and Spain was seen to be In
evitable, the coup Of Admiral Dewey at
Manila was determined upon. This be-
came known to the authorities at Berlin.
where the then Ambassador Andrew ID.
white, In discussing the matter at the
Foreign once In the Wilhelmstrasse, Is
said to have intimated that since the
United States Government had no inten-
ton of holding the Philippines. the pos
session Of colonial dependencies being
contrary 10 our traditional policy IL
would be we'll II the German fleet were
to be on the scene 10 assume control OF
the islands 50 A. to prevent the destruc-
ton Of foreign life and property at the
hands OF the natives after the overthrow
OF Spanish domination. Ambassador
White probably wished to prevent the
United States from being held pecuniarily
responsible for any damage done to
foreign life and property by the native
insurgents after Dewey's defeat OF the
Spaniards. II was In response to this
invitation OF Ambassador Andrew White
that Admiral Won Dledrichs appeared
upon the scene with his squadron TO as
sumo charge OF Manila and OF the Philip
pines. or rather Of foreign life and prop
erty there, after Dewey's victory. and no
one was more surprised than himself
when he found that his presence. instead
Of being welcomed. was resented. The
German Admirars communication with
the Spanish authorities after his arrival
was primarily due to his desire to make
arrangements for the protection OF foreign
life and property against the Philippine
insurgents.
II is difficult to believe that an Am.
bassador OF 40 much experience ana ea-
gacity as Andrew White should. In vir-
tually rendering the Philippines to Ger
many prior to the battle OF Manila, have
acted on his own Initiative Is II not
more probable that in adopting this course
he should have done 40 In compliance with
the instructions OF the Administration al
Washington? 1t is we'll known that Pres
| ident Mckinley and presumably the mem
bers OF his Cabinet were at first exceed
ingly adverse to the assumption OF the
| ownership OF the Philippine Islands and
that II was not until many months after
the battle OF Manila. namely, on the very
eve Of the signature OF the treaty OF
Paris. that II was found possible to recon
Gle him to the idea.
r. CrNLIrFE-OwEN.
NEW York February 20