Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-01-17
Is First American Naval Conn
mander, After War of
1912, to Gain important
Victory,
CAREER OF DEVOTION
TO C0UNTRY'S SERVICE
Most Spectacular Achievement
Destruction of Spanish Fleet
in Manila Bay, Sunday
May |, 1898.
fsv soss,sa JOURNAL SPECIAL lsasrD w,ssi

far sosS,sa JOURNAL SPECIAL LsAsxD wisN
Washington Jan. 16. Admiral
George Dewey. the nations Spanish
war hero, and by priority of grade the
ranking naval officer of the world.
died at his home here tonight in his
eightieth year. He had not been con-
scious since yesterday, when he lapsed
into coma still believing that in few
days he would be back at his desk In
the navy department.
A general breakdown, accompanied
by arterio sclerosis incident to old age,
was the cause of death. The disease
had been gradually spreading its hold
upon the powerful body for year and
a half, but the admiral proud of his
physical vigor, had fought it off and
even kept its existence a secret frop
most of his intimate friends. Last
Wednesday he was at his office appar-
emily hale and hearty. The next day
he collapsed as he was preparing to
leave the house, and the beginning Of
the end was at hand
Mrs. Dewey and the admirafs only
son. George, were at the bedside to-
night. They had known since yester.
day there was no hope.
Death Flashed to Ships at Sea.
The admiral died at 5:56 o'clock.
President Wilson and Secretary Dan.
iels were notified at once and the news
was flashed by wireless to American
naval vessels and stations all over the
world. The message carried orders
that all flags be halfmasted.
The president will confer with
Secretary Daniels and Rear Admiral
| Badger tomorrow ana arrange for tie
funeral which probably will take
| nIo cn4n x,;I1 he.
buried at Arlington national cemetery
on the Virginia shore of the Potomac
river, where many Of Admiral Dewey's
former comrades have been laid to
rest before him.
| Only two other men--Farragut and
| Porter-haVe held the rank of the ad-
miral of the American navy. and since
! civil war days no military figure has
| held such place as Dewey in the af-
fection and admiration Of the Amer
lean people. His death ended sixty
two years of active service.
Baptism of Fire I'm Civil War.
His baptism of fire came in the civil
war, through which he served with
distinction. Promotion followed pro-
motion during the years following.
and he was commodore command
ing the Asiatic fleet when the orders
| to ::capture and destroy the enemy's
fleet gave him the first news of hos
tiities with Spain and sent him into
Manila bay for the feat that won un-
dying fame and had far-reaching eff
foct upon the position of the United
States as a world power.
Immediately Dewey was advanced
to rear admiral and then congress, bv
special act made him admiral of the
navy, a grade that died with him.
Since 1900 he had been on duty at the
navy department as president of the
general hoard, constantly in touch
with all activities of the navy, adviser
of secretaries and mighty champion
Of greater fleet Year after year the
general board urged the building OF
more ships than congress would agree
to, until at the last session a great
building program based upon its rec
concentrations finally was adopted.
1t was because of the admiraFs
keen aversion to many suggestions
that his health and strength were fall
ing that the naval physicians attend
ing him agreed with the family to
make no announcement of his condi-
ton after the attack Thursday. 1t
was given out that the admiral had a
cold, and until Sunday even the doc
tors hoped that he might master the
disease. Yesterday his condition had
become so serious that the facts no
longer could be withheld.
u Presidents Tribute.
4 When news of the admirars death
was received at the White House.
President Wilson authorized the fol-
lowing statement:
"In expressing his grief at the death
OF Admiral Dewey, the president said
the whole national will mourn the loss
Of its most distinguished naval Off
, Ger, a man who has been as faithful,
as intelligent and as successful in the
performance of his responsible duties
in time of peace as he was gallant
and successful in time of war. 1t is
Just such men that give the service
distinction and the nation q just pride
in those who serve it."
Secretary Daniels paid this tribute:
up to the very last, Admiral
Dewey kept in touch with every move
ment of progress, not only in our
navy, but throughout the world. On
Wednesday afternoon last, just before
l left the department, he paid me a
: call and looked hale and hearty. |
/ thought he would be spared to us FOR
/ many years. His death is an irrep-
{ arabie loss to our country but the
American people will ever cherish his
, memory.
Y His counsel was more to me than
/ words can express. His advice to mo
: since ! have been secretary of the
navy was more like that Of father