CHAPTER yi 



Naval Secretary and Rough Rider 



IN 1897 the scent of war was in the air. The barbarities of Spanish 

 rule in Cuba were becoming too ilagrant for our country to long 



endure, and it was growing evident to many that the United 

 States might soon have to take a hand in the game. It was at this 

 interval of growing indignation at Spanish methods that another 

 President found occasion to avail himself of Mr. Roosevelt's services. 

 His efficiency in the police service of New York had become the talk 

 of the country, and President McKinley found it desirable to offer him 

 the post of Assistant Secretary of the Navy, feeling sure that he was 

 the man for the place. 



The new American navy was then in the making, and needed a 

 man of energetic character and efficient methods to give it the shaking 

 up it needed in the event of a war. It w-as important to make it ready 

 for any emergeficy, and Roosevelt was amply fitted for the work. 

 While occupying the minor post of assistant, his hand was soon felt 

 in every detail of naval affairs, and for a time he was virtually at the 

 head of the department. 



The most important work he did was to collect ammunition and 

 to insist on the naval gunners being well practiced in marksmanship. 

 He was not long in his new post before he felt sure that war was 

 coming and that it was his duty to see that the ships were prepared for 

 it. Another thing he did was to fill every foreign coaling station with 

 an ample supply of fuel. It was this that enabled Dewey to make his 

 prompt movement from Hongkong to Manila. We have testimony 

 to his acuteness In the words of Senator Cushman K. Davis, then head 

 of the Committee on Foreign Relations : 



"If it had not been for Roosevelt Dewey would not have been 

 able to strike the blow that he dealt at Manila. Roosevelt* s fore- 

 thought, energy and promptness made it possible." 



