The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-26
GERMAN ADMITS
MANILA BAY CLASH
Won Diedrichs Says He Was
Ready TO Resist Dewey's
Order.
NEW VERSION GIVEN
Admiral Asserts American 8
Story Of COrmoran Incl
dent Is Incorrect.

BERLIN. Feb. o5.--Bcrlln newspapers
publish to-day a statement attributed to
Admiral Won Diedrichs giving more de-
tails OF his side OF the controversy aroused
by Admiral Dewey's version Of the Manila
Bay incident The German naval officer
is quoted as admitting that he was in
censed at Admiral Dewey's announcement
OF his dee sion to nave ever, foreign war
ship boarded 80 make Inquiry and estab-
lish her Identity" lie is also said to
have related that he told the British COM
mander he would shoot any American vino
tried to carry out Dewey's instructions.
Gable dispatches published in New York
yesterday afternoon reported that Adj
mral Won Diedrichs insisted that the
trouble between the American and
German fleets at Manila was brought
about by the prcmiscuous visiting between
warsliips that was going on at the time.
Admiral Won Diedrichs agreed that Ad-
miral Dewey had reason for complaining
that the German vessels were much on
the move. hut commended that nothing
unfriendly was meant by II.
The German Admiral considered that
Admiral Dewey acted in an unfriendy
manner when an American vessel acting
under his orders. fired shots across the
bow OF two German pfIinaces to stop them
as they were passing the American war
ships. One was held UP, nc said. be-
cause her flag did not show plainly and
neared the flagship olympic with a night
message.
Dewey's Version Denied.
Admiral Won Dledrichs is reported TO
have denied Admiral Dewey's version
OF the incident relating to the firing.
Dewey contends that shot was fired
across the bows OF the German cruiser
Cormoran. Won Diedrichs insisted that
no such shot was fred but that Dewey
based hts story OH the stopping OF the
German cruiser Irene ny the McCulioch
In order to learn her identity.
Tlpa German Admiral said that the
settlement OF the trouble brought with
It a German victory. as II was stipulated
that foreign warshp would be obliged
to show her nag only after reporting
to the American Admiral upon arriving
at Manila.
Won Diedrichs explained that the in
cident closed happily all around Ad-
miral Dewey and himself exchanging let
ters and presents before the German war.
shlps left Manila. lie declared he re-
GREETED that Admiral Dewey had revived
the controversy In statement that was
erroneous
Admiral Dewey's side OF the controversy
which moved Admiral Won Diedrichs TO
reply was set forth In the American
Admirars autobiography. After relating
the nee sssity for the bloc ade and ex-
planning the rules established to. govern
1t, the Admiral said:
Tells Of shot Being Fired.
..yice-A Admiral Won Diedrichs was un-
Int he. tOrmOr1ll.
which was an old offender. was sighted
coming up the bay, Flag Lieutenant
Brumby was sent to make sure that
she stopped TO report. in keeping with the
custom OF other foreign men OF war
When the CormOran saw the McCulloch
approaching she turned and steamed
toward the northern part of the bay. COM
polling the McCuloch to follow. Brumby
| frst hoisted the international signal i
want to communicate No attention was
paid to this by the Cormoran. Then
Brumby fired IA shot across her bows,
| which had the desired effect
ION the following day Nice-Admral Won
! Diedrichs sent a capable. tactful younG
officer of the stan to me with memo.
randum of grievances. When had heard
them through, l made the most of the
| occasion by using him as a third person
| to state candidly and firmly my attitude
In a verbal message which he conveyed ia
his superior so successfully that Vice
| Admiral Won Dedrichs was able to under
stand my point OF view. There was nc
| further interference with the blockade OF
! breach OF etiquette which had been es-
tabllshed by the common consent OF the
other foreign commanders
Thus. as ] explained to the President
| after the war was over. difference Of
opinion about International law had beer
adjusted amicably without adding to the
sum OF his Worries"
|