158 FAMOUS LIVING AMERICANS between von Diedriehs and Dewey as to the meaning of the blockade and the duties of nentrals coming into a blockaded harbor. Von Diedriehs failed at first to realize that his ves- sels had been allowed entrance into the bay only as a matter of international courtesy and that they must satisfy block- ading vessels of their identity. With infinite care and tact Bear-Admiral Dewey was able to settle the affair quietly and without calling on the President in regard to the matter. The taking of Manila was delayed until August 12 when the ships were in readiness and the troops, which had arrived dur- ing the summer, under the command of General Merritt, were prepared for a land attack. Negotiations had been going on for some time between Dewey and the Spanish general, Jau- denes, with M. Andre, the Belgian consul at Manila, as inter- mediary. It had been agreed that the American troops were to rush into Fort San Antonio, that the flagship Olympia should approach the city flying the signal **D. W. H. B.*' for ^ ^ Surrender, " and that on a certain place on the southwest bastion of the city wall the white flag should be displayed by the Spanish. There was to be no firing except at the first rush of the American troops unless they were fired upon, which they were not. The Spanish general saved his honor by a formal show of resistance. All was not easy even after the taking of Manila, for in the rest of the Philippine Islands American authority had to be established. The Philippine Commission, consisting of Jacob Schurman, Charles Denby, Dean Worcester, General Otis, and Admiral Dewey, was appointed on January 12, to develop a system of civil administration in the islands. Admiral Dewey *s faithfulness to duty was shown by the fact that he re- mained at Manila as long as he felt his services were needed — a year after the victory of May first — without once going to Hong Kong for the benefit of the change of climate, a priv- ilege he had granted to all of his officers. During this time his health had been impaired and a leisurely cruise home by the way of the Mediterranean seemed most likely to restore it. In September, 1899, Admiral Dewey sailed from Gibraltar for
