The Triumphant Life of Theodore Roosevelt edited by J. Martin Miller

104
ROOSEVELT THE REFORMER
the critics. He knew better. His experience as a hunter had
taught him that the best gun in the world was wasted on a
man who did not know how to use it. The Spaniards found
that out later. Roosevelt loaded up with ammunition and
with coal. When at last the war broke out, Dewey found
everything he needed at Hongkong where he sought it, and
was able to sail across to Manila a week before they expected
him there. And then we got the interest on the gun practice
that had frightened the economical souls at home."
SHOT AWAY A MILLION DOLLARS
When Mr. Roosevelt became Assistant Secretary of the
Navy, he asked for an appropriation of $500,000 for the pur-
chase of ammunition; it was granted. Not long afterward he
asked for $800,000, to be expended in the same way. He was
asked what he had done with the other appropriation, and
replied that the money had been spent for ammunition.
When asked where it was, he replied that it had been used at
target practice, and when he was asked what he meant to do
with the ammunition bought with the $800,000 asked for, he
said that it would be shot away also. He had his way.
While the army was in a state of unprcparedness, the navy
was ready for war, and when Commodore Dewey was notified
of the possibility of hostilities between Spain and America,
he was in readiness to carry out the terms of the memorable
telegram that ordered him to proceed to Manila and destroy
the Spanish fleet. Thanks to the energy of the Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, his ships' bunkers were full of coal, he
had plenty of ammunition, his crews were drilled in every
detail and his officers represented the cream of the service.