The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-09
MYSTERIOUS TRIP.
Roosevelt Receives a
Hasty Summons to
Washington.
C0NFERS WITH PRESIDENT.
Asked to Recommend Off
GERS Efor New VoIun-
teer Regiments.
CQNFERS WITH PRESIDENT.

washington, July S.-GoV Theodore
Roosevelt of New York is tonight guest
OF the president at the White house.
lie arrived here at 4.1O p. M today in
response to a telegram from President
mckinley, delivered to him at Oyster
bay, asking him to come to Washing
ton Tor a consultation. He resp onded
promptly. He was met at the station
mere by the presidents private secre-
tary, Mr.. Cortelyou, and was driven
directly to the White house, where he
was received by the president
There was short conference between
the two distinguished men before DIM
ner. Afterwards with Secretary Long,
they sat upon the veranda Of the eX-
ecutlVe mansion for a longer consulta-
ton. The secretary remained until
about o'clock, leaving the president
ana his guest to continue the conversa-
ton. There were various rumors af1oat
as to the purpose of the governors
visit, but he declared that the presi-
dent had asked him to come 10 Wash
lngton only by his desire to consult
MIN concerning the organization of the
new volunteer forces for the Philip
pines.
Gov. Roosevelt declined to discuss
any OF the rumors concerning the pur-
pose OF MS visit. Among the reports
were those to the effect that the presi-
dent had called him to Washington to
tender him the Office of secretary of
war; to ask him to take command of
brigade in the Philippines, and to ask
MIN to designate an entire regiment to
be sent to the archipelago.
When asked whether the President
had rendered him the secretaryship,
Gov. Roosevelt laughed and declined to
discuss the matter. The governors
best friends in Washington say that
regardless of the facts as to the presi-
dents tender or failure to make one,
the governor would much prefer his
present position as chief executive of
the Empire state to a fractional term
in the war department
Gov Roosevelt dictated the follow
ing interview to the Associated Press:
Z have come to Washington at the
request of the president, to go over with
him and with the officers of the war
department certain questions affect
ing the new volunteer army, especially
as regards the personnel of the officers
The president has told me that he
wishes only recommendations based
upon the efficiency of the men recon-
mended, and that he will pay heed to
no others Most certainly l should give
no others, and l feel that the presi-
Of the terrific political pressure to
which he is and will be subjected, is
such as TO entitle him to the support of
all men who feel that politics have no
place in the army, who feel that it is
IN peculiar sense the property of the
whole country, and that in the giving
OF commissions and promotions alike,
absolutely no consideration should en-
ter outside of the merit of the men as
soldiers
My own recommendations will he
limited to the men l had under me or
the men l saw in action and to the
members of the New York volunteer
regiments of whose merits l have, as
governor, not merely official knowledge.
but also knowledge gained from per
sonal inquiry among their superiors .
referring to the general situation in
the Philippines and the policy of the
administration with reference to these
Islands, Gov. Roosevelt said: "Of course
any American worthy the name must
stand behind the president in his reso-
lutte purpose to bring the insurrection
to an end. l have no question that by
the beginning of the dry season. Gen.
otls VIII be in shape to stamp out all
resistance.
eos IIlM puB 'ue2 lu9pIseLd 9Ql ueuL.,
that the reign of absolute law and JUS
tice follows. 1t cannot be too clearly
kept in mind that the whole trouble
is due to the men who for two months
prevented the ratification of the treaty.
of peace and to those who declined to
give the president the troops he needed
upon the terms he asked.
Those who took part in the first
movement to oppose the treaty have
on their souls the guilt of most of the
bloodshed Of both that of our own
troops and that of the natives of the
Philippines; and the would-be traitors
who have since been encouraging
Aguinaldo and his followers to the
limit of their small capacity. share the
guilt so far as their feeble powers
permit.
Those who opposed giving us the
forces we needed, thereby showed
themselves the enemies of their coun-
try and of the flag. Every man who so
voted in the Senate may have the sat-
lsfaction of knowing that he has done
all that he could to bring disgrace on
the nation and discredit to tho army"
Gov. Roosevelt stated that he would
return to New York tomorrow in o.
der to consult his adjutant general on
recommendations of recruits.