CHAPTER VI 
Naval Secretary and Rough Rider . 
I N 1897 the scent of war was in the air. The barbarities of Spanish 
rule in Cuba were becoming too flagrant 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 was important to make it ready 
for any emergency, 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.” 
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