Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-26

VERY fresh dissertation by Ger
IL many of the rights of human
IT. beings and of nations brings
g. inquiry to the Navy Depart
ment and to the press regarding the
outrageous behavior of the kaiser's
naval representatives toward the
American Navy under Admiral Dewey
1T Manila bay during his long block
ade Of that port.
At that critical time the Germans
deliberately defed international law
and courtesy as outlined by treaties
between the chief sea-going nations
by ignoring and defying again and
again American authority: and. al
though avowedly neutral. not only
communicated constantly with the
Spaniards, but attempted underhand
influence and interference with Ad-
the blockade. II SArious and sundry
ways the Germar- tried to annoy MIN.
and at the same l..ae express contempt
for American authority. right and Jus
tice.
There is little doubt that less
wise, tactful and firm commander than
was the hero of Manila bay would have
plunged this country into clash with
the kaiser's representatives there and
then. As 1t was. for the long months
he preserved American rights from the
flagship Olympia he was forced TO ex-
ercise constant watchfulness and care
to steer his intercourse with this OBJ
server OF his operations so that TINS
country at the close of the affair
emerged not only triumphant over the
in a bloodless battle of American right
dignity and international honor against
German deceit. interference and dis
courtesy.
Admiral Dewey has told the story
of the blockade of Manila bay in the
"Autobiography of George Dewey,
published four years ago by Charles
Scribner's Sons. New York Those who
read chapter XVII with the mind as
well as with the eye can read far be-
yond the tempered words-of liberties
unwarranted. insulting actions and
covert defiance of American naval au-
thority by German naval representa-
Had Admiral Dewey lived TO see the
day when his country was at war with
the Prussian empire he would doubt
less have disclosed some incidents of
that fateful summer in Manila bay
which would have reused American
blood and stirred American ire to a
still higher and deeper degree than
they are at present, He left notes
upon the incidents Of that time which
were not given to the world in his
time. these notes may be published and
this country will learn some further
truths concerning the true inwardness
of the German duplicity and dishonor.
x
As it is. the tempered phrases telling
of the complications and trials brought
about by Germany's ingiorious part in
events during the blockade of Manila
bay are euIightening
every officer who had served in the
civil war had had some experience
with blockade and some observation
II not experience. of the international
questions which it had precipitated.
says Admiral Dewey in his autohiog
raphy. Moreover. international law
had been one OF my favorfte studies
Before the declaration of war with
Spain I had not only considered the
preparations for the battle. but my
position in the event OF victory
blockade. cutting or the enemy's com
merce as the first natural step il
weakening the enemy. Inevitably thu
foreign nations would send their men
of-war to the bay for purposes of OBJ
servation I must maintain tn,
blockading of Manila thoroughly anc
impartially II i were to avoid remon
strances. This aimed TO do from thu
moment of its esta blishment.
"One might have thought that tn
activity shown by each foreign powe
would be regulated Dy the extent or II
commercial interests and the numbe
of its subjects on shore. The British
had an overwhelming preponderance il
trade. in investment, and in the mum
Der of their subjects resident in tn
Der of their subjects residet in tn
Philippines. They had the larges
naval force in far eastern waters o
any power. But they never had NOR
than three ships IN Manila bay at on
time during the blockade.
I'm view of my isolation from