Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-10-31
Action in War With Spain
Ccments Long-Stand-
ing Friendship.
G. R EY IS CONFIDENT
To Believe American Ships
Neutral Until Doubt
Is Removed.

LONDON, oct 50.-During the dis
cussion in the house of lords on Mon
day last regarding the operations OF
the German submarine T-53 off the
coast of the United Statos. Earl Grev.
former governor general of Canada,
I'm asking for assurances that reports
We're Incorrect that commanders of
American dcstroycrs had moved their
positions to enable the submarine to
sink merchant Vessels, gave an inter-
esting account Of conversation he
had with Admiral Dewey as to the
action OF Captain Chichester OF tho
Britieh navy in Manila bay at tho
outbreaks OF the spanish American
var. Earl Gray said:
ITO me II Is 80 incredible that com
manders of american war vessels
should have acted in the way reported
that | can not and will not believe II
until all room for doubt has been re
moved. Such action on the part OF
the American war vessels would IN
vnlNe a new and startling departure
from the old traditions of mutual
service between America and Eng
land in tn 'sc Of humanity Tho
custom of British and American
sailors In rtS OF The world to go
spCntancoU. each others assist
anco In n. Hts OF difficulty has
been so inNaulblc that had learned
before the war to regard American
and British ships as practically ships
of one united fleet for the purpo9e of
safeguarding and promoting tho
highest interests cf mankind
Worked Together.
"I hope | may be permitted to
quote one illustration OF the way IN
which in this spontaneous mutual
serNice has had far-reaching effects In
promoting good Will between Amer
lea and England In 1905 | had the
| honor of meeting Admiral Dewey and
some distinguished members OF the
American senate at dinner In Wash
/ lnrton on that occasion Admira'
| Dewey narrated to me in a voice ana
| with gestures eloquently suggestive ot
the most grateful emotion, the story
at that time entirely new to me- and
perhaps new to some mcmheis OF
your lorlship's house todaY-of the
way in which he had received inN2lu-
able assistance from captain ChichcS
| ter at Manila at time OF great anN-
| iety
"A6miral Dewey informed mo that
| the presence at Manila Of German
cruisers with heavier displacement
| than that Of the Amer 'an ships
caused him TO realize the grave char
acter of the danger menacing his
country in tho event Of the German
ships beginning the hostile action, OF
which he n tine time. had reason t'
! bo apprc!cnsivc He describe / how
( the whole American fleet Watched n
silent anxiety the visit of the German
admiral to Captain Chicnestar's shiT
and the intense relief with which 'heN
saw. shortly after the German ad-
mirals return to his own ship, his
maiestys ships under Captain Chi'
( chestcr's command hoist their anchors
and shift their anchorage to position
which placed them In the direct lin'
Of fire between the German ana The
american shins.
NO action has ever done more 'C
promote the friendly feelings Of one
nation TO another than that action o
Captain Chichester, which I hellVf'
to have been absolutely spontaAooui
on his part and which action Is wei
known to every officer in the naNa
service of the United states.
"I trust that the secretary 6f sia''
for foreign affairs may oe able to as
sure the house that IL" rumors IT
tributinr to American officers action
so different from that Of Captain en-
chester are wholly AMI ahsolutel.
without foundation"