were all wrong. His going into the army led straight to the Presidency.

The Secretary of the Navy once described the activity of those April days as a "great mixture of patriotism and push," and the continuous rush of work at the Department was beginning to wear upon him when extraordinarily glad tidings reached Washington.

Monday, May 2. - News comes of an attack by the Asiatic squadron upon Manila, capital of the Philippine Islands, the annihilation of the Spanish fleet and the practical surrender of the city. This victory inspires great enthusiasm. It is true it is achieved by a vastly superior force, but the Spaniards showed pluck and fight; and as our fleet was obliged to take the enemy's under the shelter of their fort, it was a gallant and splendid success. Everybody is rejoicing and the President is gratified. We have as yet no official report, but look eagerly forward to it in the hope that it will confirm the good news.

Day after day passed, but the official report from Dewey came not. Meanwhile the suspense and excitement at Washington were tremendous, and officials sometimes got a little on each other's

nerves.

Thursday, May 5.- Showers; April weather.

Usual run of business. In the afternoon somebody comes on from New York, representing the Naval Militia, and has a discussion with Roosevelt, in my room, as to an amendment to be added to the Auxiliary Naval Bill. Illustrates one of Roosevelt's lacks. He shouts at the top of his voice, and wanders all over creation. The harangue fails to meet the exact point. His forte is his push. He lacks the serenity of discussion.

Friday, May 6.- Cabinet meeting this morning. To make the record of the Navy complete, I present a letter which I have written to the Secretary of War, stating that the Navy is ready to convoy any force of forty or fifty thousand men to Cuba, and urging the War Department to take active steps. Secretary Alger, Secretary of War, takes some offense very naturally. He intimates that the War Department will take care of itself without any interference from the Navy. I meet this with good nature, and simply suggest that my purpose is to show the readiness of the Navy, as I do not wish the impression to go abroad that there is any delay on our part.

Alger is a very generous and sanguine man. He has been the most active of all members of the Cabinet for war. For two months he has been saying that he would have his army ready in ten days whereas, in fact, not a volunteer has left his state, and in my judgment there has been a striking lack of preparation and promptness. I have n't the slightest doubt that, if the Army would put fifty

thousand men across upon Cuban soil, we could have Havana and the Island of Cuba at once. Quiet evening at home.

The new First Assistant-Secretary of State, Mr. Moore, who is admirably adapted to his duties and by all means the most accomplished man that has yet been connected with that Department, comes around about ten o'clock to confer with regard to the release of the steamer Lafayette.

Finally, on Saturday, May seventh, word came from Dewey. Probably nothing Mr. Long ever wrote is more illustrative of his character than the reflections which appear in his journal for that day. To fully appreciate them one should remember that after Manila Bay, Secretary Long, as head of the Navy, was second to Dewey alone in national popularity.

First thing this morning are two telegrams from Commodore Dewey, confirming the story of his overwhelming victory at Manila: the utter destruction of all the enemy's vessels, eleven in number, and the suppression of the forts. He has the city at his command. The country is wild with enthusiasm over this victory. The President, of course, is delighted. We are actively engaged in preparing reinforcements of men, munitions of war, and supplies for the Asiatic squadron.

In all such great events the praise or the blame, as the case may be, is very unequally distributed.

This is a glorious achievement, redounding specially to his credit. No man could have done better or deserved more. Had the enterprise failed, it would have been his ruin. Yet in either case the responsibility runs out to an infinite number of others. Nobody now thinks of my four immediate predecessors who have brought the Navy up to the condition it now is. Nobody thinks of the patience and thoroughness with which our ships have been equipped and armed, and our ordnance brought to the highest state of efficiency by officers here at home, men whose names will never be mentioned. Little thought even is given to the officers and men who, by their gallantry and skill, have won the immediate victory.

IX

SANTIAGO

As the month of May, 1898, progressed, the national exhilaration created by Dewey's victory in Manila Bay subsided, and the attention of the public centred once more upon the military and naval situation in and about Cuba. As far as the Navy was concerned the American people found complaint impossible, but the Army was not so satisfactory. The commanders were blamed for inaction, and the War Department was blamed for incompetency. Where the trouble really lay is revealed, charitably but clearly, in the pages of Secretary Long's journal for the spring and summer of that interesting year.

Monday, May 9. - Captain Mahan, on the retired list, returns under orders from abroad for duty on the War Board. He has achieved great distinction as a writer of naval history, and has made a very thorough study of naval strategy. No naval officer stands higher to-day. Yet I doubt very much whether he will be of much value practically. He may be, or he may not. That remains to be seen.

Attend Cabinet meeting at the White House, in which we consider some questions of the terms of peace, in case it shall become practicable.