Good evening, friends. This is Walter Houston. Tonight I think we have an ideal combination
for you on our DuPont cavalcade. In the first place, our star is an old favorite of yours
and a good friend of mine, Robert Montgomery. Bob is making his first radio appearance since
being placed on inactive duty by the United States Navy. We all know Bob Montgomery's
brilliant work as an actor, and most of us have also followed his career as a fighting
man in this war. His record for more than four years of service is the forces of three
of the United Nations. Now, I play tonight, couldn't be better suited to our star because
it's a story about our Navy in an earlier war. It's called The Admiral. The Admiral,
starring Robert Montgomery, is brought to you by the DuPont Company, maker of better
things for better living through chemistry. Incidentally, DuPont has just gotten out a
new booklet for car owners. The title is Take Care of Your Cooling System, and that's just
what its 24 pages tell you how to do. There are lots of illustrations in color, and the
whole book is planned to help you avoid cold weather troubles in the cooling system of
your car. We'll be glad to send you a copy free. Just mail a postcard to Radio Section,
DuPont Company, Wilmington, 98, Delaware. Fifty years ago, our Navy was small, yet even
then some men knew the day would come when we would have to fight in every ocean. One
of them was Admiral George Dewey, the man who first took our feet into the Philippines.
And now the DuPont Company presents Robert Montgomery as George Dewey in Arthur Allen's
radio play, The Admiral. December 7, 1897. More than 40 years later, another December
7 was a day of infamy. But destiny had also selected that December day in 1897. For up
the gangplank of the Pacific steamer Gaelic, in the harbor of San Francisco, stowed a gray-haired
military man, George Dewey, commanding the United States Navy, on his way to take command
of the Asiatic squadron. On the deck of the Gaelic, flanked by his two lieutenants, the
commander gazed at the hills of San Francisco and talked with a few naval officers who were
there to bid him farewell. Two years, 8,000 miles from home. I don't envy you, sir. Don't
I? Well, we're glad to be going. Right, Brumby, in Coldwell? Right, sir. I've always wanted
to see Japan, sir. Who knows what can happen in two years? Well, that's true. You're going
to miss the front if there's war with Spain. There won't be much action in the Pacific.
I disagree with you, sir. Well, I only meant, Commodore, that the best part of the Spanish
fleet is in and around Cuba. Right? But the first and most important round will be fought
in the Philippines. The Philippines, Commodore? I know it's not the most popular opinion in
the Navy, but it's my opinion and it's Theodore Roosevelt's opinion. Well, anyway, sir, you'll
have a beautiful flagship, the Olympia. Where's she stationed now? Yokohama Bay. I'll relieve
Admiral McNair there. Well, that reminds me, sir, I don't mean to be forward, but it seems
strange they didn't make you a rear admiral when they appointed you to this command. It's
customary, isn't it? Yes, it's customary. But I have one great consolation. What's that?
Well, in the Asiatic command, I am the first Commodore since Perry. But Commodore Perry
did pretty well. A few weeks later in Yokohama Bay, ceremonies were completed aboard the
flagship Olympia. Commodore Dewey was in command of the Asiatic squadron. Then in Tokyo, Dewey
with United States Ambassador Buck rides to the Imperial Palace for his first ceremonial
call on the Emperor of Japan. Well, Commodore, what do you think of Japan? It's amazing.
From what little I've seen, they've done miracles in the 50 years since Perry opened them up.
They must be an extraordinary people. They are. Very pleasant and friendly. Certainly.
It pays dividends. What do you know about Japan, Commodore? I've read Lafcadio Hearn,
of course. And I once had a Japanese servant. His name was Ito. Very good chap. I knew his
features. He liked to putter around with ship models. What happened to him? He resigned.
Of course, I've read Admiral Mahan's book. He thinks we ought to have a string of island
bases clear across the Pacific. Don't you? I don't know yet. Now they're all as willing
and decent as my friend Ito. Commodore, 300 years ago, these Japs had a warlord. His name
was Hideyoshi. He started out to conquer the world. First Korea and then China. There'd
been a lot of would-be world conquerors. Certainly. But they all gave up. The Japs had merely
postponed it. Maybe. But they're all like Ito. Why? Oh, looks like we're here. This will
be the naval delegation to escort us into the Emperor. Now be careful. Rigid formality.
Polite, but not too. Ah, Commander Yasui. May I present Commodore Dewey, Commander in
Chief of the Asiatic Squadron. Oh, yes. It is indeed a pleasure, Commodore. Thank you,
Commander. On behalf of my country and myself, I... Oh, for the love of Pete, Commander,
stop staring at him. Say something. I beg your pardon, Commander, but I didn't catch
your name. Yasui. Commander Yasui of the Imperial Japanese Navy. It is indeed a pleasure, Commodore.
You come this way, please. Go ahead and follow him. What are you trying to do, Starlin, international
incident? What's happening to you? Nothing. Nothing at all. Except it might interest you
to know that Commander Yasui is my old friend Ito, the fellow who was so interested in ship
models. 1898. In Cuba, insurrection. In the Philippines, revolt. In the courts of Europe,
in the tree. In Hong Kong harbor, Commodore Dewey and his friends attended dinner given
by Prince Henry, Admiral of the Imperial German Asiatic Squadron, on the battleship Newtland.
Gentlemen, be seated, please. The glasses will be filled and then we will have another toast.
The ship's band did credit to my country's anthem, Prince Henry, and to my queen. Thank
you, Captain T. Chester. Next to our own him, our band is most acquainted with. God save
the king. By the way, Commodore Dewey. Yes, your highness. I have been wanting to ask you,
do you Americans really expect to beat these Spaniards? I wasn't aware, your highness, that
there was a state of war. Not yet, not yet. But soon, I suppose. Tell me, what will you
do? Well, I'll move into Manila Bay, of course, and clean out the Spanish fleet in 24 hours.
Go right in, eh? What of the minefield? Minefields? We had an admiral once named Farragut. You
know what he said? I cannot say that I do. He said, damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead.
I see. Full speed ahead. Well, gentlemen, another toast. Shall we stand? I propose a
toast, gentlemen, to the Tsar of Russia. Your highness. Yes, Commodore. May I remind your
highness, in accordance with diplomatic custom, I intend no disrespect to the ruler of Russia,
but the commander of the Russian fleet present here is outranked by me, and therefore the
first toast. You are right, Commodore, you are right. Yes, I was confused. I was thinking
of the nation alphabetically, as we spell them in German. Yes, gentlemen, I propose a
toast to the president of the United States. Thank you, gentlemen. And now, the national
anthem of the United States. Your highness. Your highness. What? What's the matter? What's
the matter? Yes, Commodore. Prince Henry, the national anthem of my country is the Star
Spangled Banner. It is not Hail Columbia. And because I think this insult to my country
is intentional, my officers and I are denying ourselves the further hospitality of the German
navy. Gentlemen. Yes, Commodore. Commodore, your country is not too well known to the
world. We are unfamiliar with its sound. In that case, I will send your highness a copy
of the words and music of the Star Spangled Banner. I might add that they were composed
during naval battle with the European power. Come, gentlemen. Come in. Yes, Bambi. Captain
Chichester, sir. Chichester. So early in the day. Tell him to come in. Commodore Dewey
says to come in, sir. Thank you. Well, Captain, what brings you over here? I very much regret
in view of the news. News? That war's begun. You didn't hear? We've had no news. We've
been expecting a cable. It must have been delayed, which makes my errand even more difficult.
You see, I received a cable this morning from the secretary of state for the colonies. I
have to read it to you. Very well. Read it, Captain. It says, we are informed that a state
of war exists between Spain and the United States of America. It has begun. Give immediate
notice to the commanders of all ships of the belligerents within the waters of this colony
that they will be good enough to leave the waters of this colony not later than 4 p.m.
on Monday the 25th. The cable was sent by Major General Black, administering the government.
Yes, I see. Naturally, since England is a neutral power... Commodore Dewey. There's no need for
you to be distressed, Captain. It's proper that England should serve this notice. And
since we are at war, the American fleet will be leaving anyway for the Philippines. So,
on April the 25th, 1898, the American-Asianic squadron sail out of Hong Kong bound for the
Philippines. On that same morning, in the quarters of Admiral Prince Henry aboard his
flagship, the Dutchman... Commander Toomann. Yes, Your Highness. I have just sent this cable
to the Chantry in Berlin, Commander. I read it. The United States fleet this morning sailed
for the Philippines. The Philippines are revolved against Spain and would be glad to place themselves
under protection of a European power, especially Germany. I write instructions. So, you think
our government is interested in this, Your Highness? I am sure they are, deeply interested.
What instructions will they send at this hour? The American fleet already sailed. I hope the
instructions for us to obstruct, embarrass, and impede the American-Asianic fleet in every
possible way. And I believe we will get those instructions because this is our war, too, Commander.
Lieutenant Brumby? Yes, sir. Tell Captain Gridley we go straight in, have him set his course for
Manila Bay. That means we'll arrive after dark, sir. I know it. Will we go straight in? That's right.
Commodore, finally make a suggestion. Certainly, Brumby. We don't know those waters. We'll take
soundings as we go. But the minefield. Commodore is well known. He's got the most elaborate setup
of any harbor in the Pacific. Brumby, would you like to hear what I think about those minefields?
I would, sir. They're just a little too well known. Every naval man in the Far East talks about the
Manila minefield. They're the greatest, the most complicated things that ever happen.
You know what I think, Brumby? I think they don't exist. But mines are no mines. We're going in.
What's that island over there, Slim? Now you got a map. Look at it. Try to make a look at it.
Oh, what have you got to lose? You'll only get shot. I was going into that mid-life. Excuse me,
the Willys. I think that island is corrugated, Jim. Where's the minefield? Who's worrying about
the minefield? Well, what's worse than minefield? A collision, my friend. That sinks two ships.
Look at the Commodore up there in the bridge. Wouldn't want to have his words.
Me, I'd rather sleep at night. You're not doing much sleep in the night.
What'll we get through the minefields? If I only knew what they looked like.
You men down there. You men down there on that hat. Yes, sir, Commodore.
I hear you say something about minefields. Yes, sir. It might interest you to know that
I'm going below to take a nap. We passed through those minefields ten minutes ago.
Well, listen to Robert Montgomery as George Dewey in the Admiral on the Cavalcade of America,
brought to you by the DeFont Company, maker of better things for better living, to tend to.
As we return to our story, the American squadron has entered Manila Bay.
It is almost dawn and Commodore Dewey and his officers are on the bridge of the Illuminati.
Here we are, Commodore. Spanish fleet. All lined up like ducks set apart.
What do you make of this, Commodore? That's C now. As they're in it, Christina.
Montotor flagships, sir. They're easy to kill, brother. They catch tea early.
Can you make out that gunboat, Gridley? It's slurred they look darn nice, hey.
They're all there, sir. All eight of them. What time is it, Brumby? 538 a.m.
Brumby, signal for Taya to engage the enemy. Aye, sir.
Gridley, what's that skulking over there in the shadow?
Spanish transporter. Sounds like they're minin' out. Brumby, signal engage the enemy. Aye, sir.
What time is it now? 541. You may fire when ready, Gridley.
I'm firing. I'm firing. Dewey's prophecy that he would reduce the defenses of Manila in 24 hours came true.
After the Battle of Manila Bay, Dewey Blackfield at the court.
No ship of any nationality could enter our departs without receiving his permission.
Then one day there was a new squadron in the harbor. The Imperial German-Asiatic Fleet.
Bored the Olympia, they were accustomed then.
Well, Gridley, I don't like the smell of it, comrade.
I mean, that must take a little time before I get used to your promotions.
Take all the time you want, captain.
Isn't that the Deutschland report?
It is. Alongside her are the Kaiserine Augusta, the Prince Wilhelm, Kaiser, the Cormoran.
I have a dozen more. It's like there are a whole group of navies out here. Why, Edmund?
I don't know.
The Algenus two to one, sir.
We're not at war with Germany.
Sometimes I almost think we are.
Maybe they've been disregarding the blockade, ignoring our signals, shooting their searchlights on at night, giving aid in comfort to the enemy.
They've gone out of their way to embarrass us, Edmund.
We'll stop all that, Gridley.
When, Edmund?
When they'll reject themselves.
What's that?
Deport. Looks like a torpedo boat.
Deport, right?
Deport, right, right.
Deport, deport.
Ahoy, the ramps. Ahoy.
They don't answer, sir, cutting his way full speed.
Supposed to be standard, one we didn't get?
I don't think so, Brumby.
Put a shot across her bow.
Disponder. Fire.
They're still coming, sir.
Fire and fire to hit.
Disponder. Fire.
We stop, sir.
awaiting a flag
Yes
That's what I thought
Oh, ho, dear, India!
Why did you fire on me?
Bring him aboard, grumpy
Oh, ho, grumpy, come aboard
You want me to talk to him, Admiral?
I'll do the talking, sir
You've an awful lot to take one crack at
Take more than that, grumpy
It's obviously a planned incident
I think they want it to go over with it
Why did you fire on me? Why did you?
I was in concert at the Imperial Terminator
That's a little better. Now what do you want?
Sirs, I wish to know why you fired on a launch
from the flagship of Admiral von Heigl
Oh, that's what that thing is, eh?
And I thought it was a torpedo boat
That's a Spanish torpedo boat
I suppose you gentlemen realize there's a war on
Why don't you show your colors, Lieutenant?
Admiral von Heigl is raising your apologies
Yes, he is
Tell me, how did the Admiral find out about it so fast?
The Excellency, the Admiral, sir,
is below in the launch
Oh, my compliments to his Excellency, Admiral von Heigl
And ask him to be so kind as to come aboard
I'll await him in my cabin
Did I want you, Admiral?
I will stand, Admiral Dewey
The Imperial German government must have an apology
for the dog raids happening. Furthermore, it is the demand of the Imperial German government
Demand, Admiral von Heigl?
That you talk whackers, Nathan, of an act of uncertain grievance
I would like to hear them
Does your Excellency have a lift with him?
I have. You have extra special rights to stop and board
all neutral vessels entering Manila Bay
That is not only my right, Admiral, it is my duty
Proceed, if you please
You have assigned us positions in the harbor to prevent our maneuvering
You are not supposed to maneuver, sir
You prevent my launches from communicating with the Imperial German Consulate in Manila
You turn back my transport when all I wish is for a few German soldiers to land at Manila
and stretch their legs in the harbor drill
And now you add to these outraces by firing upon myself and my own launch
that carries not even one machine gun
Anything else you ask, Your Excellency?
That is all for the press
And now let me tell you something
Does Your Excellency know that it is my fleet and not his
which is blockading this port?
Of course, of course
And is Your Excellency aware that he has no rights here whatsoever
except such as I choose to allow him?
And does Your Excellency realize he cannot move, he cannot maneuver
he cannot communicate except by my permission?
One would imagine so that you and not I were blockading this harbor
You have no rights
You have every right
Tell me, has the Imperial German government decided to make war on the United States?
Is that her intention?
Do you want war with the United States?
You are very near it, sir
And you can have it
You can have it as soon as you like
The next morning the sun breaks on a cloudless day
Upon the bridge of the Olympia stand two old friends
Captain Tecesta of Her Majesty's Navy
and Admiral George Dewey, United States Navy
They shield their eyes from the glare as they gaze far out at sea
at a line of disappearing warships
Well, Admiral, there they go
Back to Germany or wherever they came from
Yes
And without asking my permission to get underway, as usual
Before I go
I'd like to tell you a little something
strictly confidential, of course
I give you my word, Captain
I had a visit last night from the German Admiral von Dieter
He came to ask me one question
about me, naturally
It was shortly after your delightful conversation with him
He said, Captain Tecesta, have you instructions as to your action in the event of actual hostilities between myself and the American squadron?
And what did you tell him?
I said, of course I did
Then he looked over at me and said, may I ask them to be informed as to the nature of those instructions?
You know what I said
I said, I'm not going to tell you
You know what I said
I said, Your Excellency
There are only two persons here who know what my instructions are
One of them is myself
and the other is Admiral Dewey
Admiral, let me congratulate you again
In all your conduct of this blockade, you haven't made a single mistake
Ah, that's where you're wrong, Captain
I made one
You see those German ships skulking back home with their tails between their legs
I should have sunk every one of them
Do you think von Dietrich was recalled?
No, no, I don't think so
I think the policy of the German government, Captain, is to keep other powers from getting what they can't get themselves
The United States will need this, maybe
Because our next war will be with Germany
Ah, thanks to you, Robert Montgomery, and to all members of tonight's cavalcade cast
Ah, don't go away, Bob
Before we hear from Bob Montgomery, I'd like to remind you of one of the things America has to be thankful for this year
Even with ten million men in uniform, all well fed, the rest of us at home still have food to eat
Not many folks would think offhand that dynamite has anything to do with food or the amount of milk that their youngsters get to drink
But linking together two things as different as dynamite and milk comes as no surprise to the men and women of the third national exposition of the American Chemical Society
Who closed their meeting yesterday in Chicago
For they know dynamite is a chemical lever, a powerful chemical tool, touching our lives at many points
The West Coast has more milk right now because of dynamite
The whole country has more pork because of dynamite
Do you remember those floods you read about in the papers last spring in Iowa? Roads and bridges were washed out
Acres of farmland were covered with flood water
In some districts, vast areas of water had to be drained off within 24 hours if the newly planted crops were to be saved
Now, Gaine Whitman knows a lot more about all this, and he's going to tell you how it's done
Heavy mechanical equipment couldn't be used, even if it had been available
So county engineers in many places used DuPont dynamite
In Chickasaw County, for instance, a dynamited ditch a mile and a half long reclaimed 300 acres of farmland in hours instead of weeks
In another place where a bridge was damaged by floodwaters that had cut a new channel, DuPont engineers blasted a new channel 8 feet deep and 25 feet wide in a few hours
The land was saved for production
It grew corn, the corn was fed to hogs, and you have more pork thanks to dynamite
About milk, out of the state of Washington this year, thousands of feet of ditches were dynamited across previously useless or nearly useless lowlands
In one soil conservation district alone, they turned 1,200 additional acres into better pasture land
The pasture land grew grass, the grass fed cows, the cows gave milk, and hundreds of additional gallons of milk went to West Coast markets
Where the earth is so wet that you can pick up a handful of mud and squeeze water through your fingers, ditches may be dug with dynamite using the propagation method, as it is called
Sticks of dynamite made just for the purpose are set in the earth in a row
The first stick is exploded and the water in the soil carries the wallop along and sets off the other sticks one after another
Today, dozens of different types of dynamite for dozens of different jobs are manufactured by DuPont, maker of better things for better living through chemistry
And now here is Walter Houston
Now, before we hear from Robert Montgomery, I want to take just a moment to say a few things about Bob
Back in 1940, when the war shocked the world, Bob served at the American Field Service as an ambulance driver in France
When that country fell, Bob was commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Navy and was ordered to London
From London, he went to the Pacific, saw action at Munda, Kula, and Guadalcanal, and was with the destroyer squadron in the Normandy invasion
Bob, glad to have you back
Thank you, Walter
The sixth war alone teed off today and I suppose this ex-Navy man ought to fire the heavy guns at you on behalf of war bonds
But I'm sure you can name as many reasons for loading up on war bonds as I can
Anyway, all I want us to do is take off my hat the kind of boys that I've fought beside the last few years
You know, there's a quality about the American boy that stands out when the chips are down and the lead is flying
He just says the so-and-so's can't do that to me, and brother, he's got what it takes to back that up
I saw this boy of yours back in the hungry days in the South Pacific when we felt like holding a special prayer meeting to thank God that one new fighter plane had just come in
I saw him on D-Day on thousands of ships that your bonds have built under an air cover or thousands of planes that your bonds have built
He knows we at home aren't perfect, not by a long shot, but you know, he still thinks that we're worth dying for
I guess if I had to, I could really lay it on about this American kid, but I'd rather just say that it was a privilege to fight beside him
I know it must be a great privilege for you to stand beside him and buy the rest of the war bonds that will bring him back home to you
Thank you very much
Thank you, Bob
Thank you, Bob Montgomery
Newspapers we read daily are, well, they're more than just barriers of news, opinion, and amusement
They are symbols of a free people, a free press
Fighters for this freedom in our country are many, but outstanding among them was a woman, Anne Royal
Next week on Cavalcade we bring you Witness for the People, the dramatic story of Anne Royal
Our Cavalcade star will be the distinguished actress Faye Bainter with Ray Collins as Andrew Jackson
Listen then next Monday to Faye Bainter and Ray Collins in Witness for the People on the Cavalcade of America
Thank you and good evening
Music tonight was composed and conducted by Robert Ambruster
Cavalcade of America is grateful to this Davis Publishing Company for permission to base this dramatization on Lauren H. Healy's and Louis Kupner's book, The Admiral
This is Gayne Whitman inviting you to tune in next week to Witness for the People, starring Faye Bainter with Ray Collins
Brought to you by the E.I. DuPont, the Nemorism Company of Wilmington, Delaware
Applause
This is the National Broadcasting Company