Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-21

Efforts backed by patriotic organiza-
tions to make national shrine OF the
Olympia. famous flagship of Admiral
Dewey at the battle of Manila Bay, ap-
peal strongly to the popular imagira-
ton.
LAS Admiral Dewey's flagship at
Manila her historical value was eStab-
lished for future generations" says the
Charleston Daily Mail. Again, many
years later. to her was assigned a task
of special honor, and she brought from
Europe the body of the Unknown Sol
dier. Shortly afterward the old vessel
was placed in retirement at the Phila-
delphia Navy Yard alongside other war
vessels whose days of active service are
ended" Referring to efforts which will
be made in Congress to preserve the
vessel. the Daily Mail continues: 1.-The
United Spanish War Veterans are ex-
pected to join in the movement and
other patriotic organizations probably
will volunteer support and assistance.
The Olympia should be pre-
served, and 1t is not likely that she
will be allowed to go on the scrap
heap"
Our citizens, especially our children,
need such visual reminders of Ameri-
can bravery" in the opinion of the
Albany Evening News, which recalls
that "in many ways Americans re-
ceived more real thrills out of the
Spanish American War than they did
from the World War" The Charles
ton Observer believes that the ship
should be given place beside Old Iron
sides in the heroic traditions of Amer
lea" and finds confirmation of that
view in the fact that Senators and
Representatives in Congress are being
flooded with kilograms and letters from
military and other organizations every
where, demanding that something be
done quickly to prevent the sacrilege
of its being strapped or sold by the
Government"
eft Is almost shocking to learn" de-
clares the New York Evening World,
that the ship associated with an event
of such enormous significance has been
looked upon as so much steel and iron.
Albeit, we, as a people, are considered
sentimentalistS, there are times when
We seem sadly lacking in the historical
imagination. I" = We have never been
the same since Dewey won his victory.
There is no probability that we shall
ever retrace our steps. For better or for
worse, we have our colonies, our possess
sions and our subjects, and these all
date back to the time when the thunder
of Dewey's guns set the Nation to
shouting. The Olympia is more than a
more than ship, its association with
Dewey's triumph should be enough to
save it from the scrap heap of old iron."
It is recorded by the Ithaca Journal
News that "the Navy League on last
Navy day pointed out that the United
States has had only four fleet actions
and in each captured or destroyed every
enemy ship. This is a prideful record"
continues that paper, land undoubtedly
the United States Navy Is the best
reason why it has so seldom been called
upon to defend ITSELF" The Williams
port Sun states: THAT fateful day in
the closing years of the last century
marked an epoch in human history. 1t
occasioned the downfall OF the naval
power of a nation which once domi-
mated the seas of the world. 1t ended
the power of Spain on the Western
to settle and develop. 1t resulted IN
the freedom of the Philippine Islands
and Cuba from what had been virtual
slavery. The thunder Of the Olympia's
guns also made additional history. 1t
was the symbol of the new position that
the United States was to assume in
world affairs. It was another milestone
IN human prOgTeSS.
y X y
, 1.-THE Nation could spend lot Of
money" according to the Savannah
Morning News, ION memorial which
would not be half as effective as this
old vessel, which was Admiral Dewey's
flagship when he fought typically
American fight, counting no odds, going
into the heart of an enemy stronghold
and bringing back victory The
story Of the Olympia and her companion
ships of the Asiatic squadron will always
have an epic ring and would have even
If the cause they represented had not
been just. The bold dash past the
channel forts. the engagement with
ships and land batteries. which together
could fling as much or more metal than
the American squadron; the dramatic
withdrawal for breakfast when the one
sided battle was half over, the complete
ness of the victory" concludes the
Republican, AL are elements to stir
the blood. =. ss. ~. q,