The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1899-07-25
ELIHU ROOT
Will Be Only Nominal Head Of Wal
Department.
HIS Responsibility for Which He
Really Responsible, the Colonial
Department.

NEW YORK, July 25.-A special TO the
Herald from WashiAgton says Elihu
Root, the new secretary Of war, spent
his first evening at the White House a.
a guest Of President Mckinley, Hedined
with the president and spent the re-
mainder Of the evening in discussing
with him, and probably the members
Of the cabinet, the important duties
which will devolye upon him as the
head Of the war departmet.
II il not improbable that the near fu-
ture will sse Mr.. Root in the position Of
colonial secretary, and a new man at the
head Of the war department. The en-
tire colonial policy will doubtless be
gone over at this conference, but Cuba,
contrary to expectation, will probably
receive more attention than the war in
the Philippines. OF course. Mr.. Root
will have a voice i'm matters relating TO
/ the conduct Of the war, but the presi-
dent desires him TO give particular at
tention 10 the many complicated legal
questions involved in the change from
the military to the civil control Of de-
pendencies. The president will continue
to give close personal attention, with
the assistance Of Adjutant-General Cor
bin, to the purely military work con-
nected with the campaign in the Philip
pines.
The question Of the future Of Cuba
will receive the immediate attention OF
| Mr.. Root. The president considers that
the time has come for doing something
in the direction of establishing a civil
and independent government in Cuba
lie wants TO have policy well defined
80 that he will be able TO tell congress III
his forthcoming annual report what the
future attitude OF the country toward
Cuba should be. lie had an interview
Yesterday with Charles Garcia, son o
the old general, in regard 20 holding
conventions for the elections in Cuba
preliminary TO the establishment OF ar
independent form Of government.
General Garcia came here 10 secure
authority from the president for taking
proper steps through the medium oI
suffrage for the establishment OF an in
dependent form Of government and thus
prepare the way for complete control o
/ the island. The president believes thai
the time has come TO give the Cubans O
trial OF self-goyernment, and he wants
Mr.. Root 10 take hold Of this matter and
formulate plans whereby the Cubans
will have an opportunity 10 establish
some kind ola government which thi'
country can recognize.
II il this class OF work, involving 9
knowledge Of constitutional and inter
national laws, which influenced the
president in the determination 10 have
lawyer instead Of a soldier at the head
OF the department. Eventually IL j,
the presidents expectation that thi'
will be- new department OF the govern
ment, 10 have direct control Of all tht
affairs pertaining 10 the colonies. Mr.
Root will be expected 10 DO the work o
colonial secretary rather than wa
secretary, pending the establishment b!
congress OF the proposed new depart
ment.
Probably in the future lac may b'
transferred 10 the control Of the new de
partment, il it is authorized. Mr.. Root
Of course, will have much 10 do with IN,
Philippine war. but the president vii
naturally depend more upon his advic,
for substituting a civil for military gov
ernment in the Philippines when ia,
time comes for such action, than he vii
upon his assistance in connection Will
the military campaign.