Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-26
ALGER'S FAREWELL.
Says Goodbye to His Associ-
ates in the Cabinet.
Mr.. Root Greets the Members---WiIl
Assume Office, Aug. |.
Cabinet Discusses the Peculiar Situation il
Alaskan Boundary Msttcr.

Washington, Juy @J.-Ine features
Of the cabinet meeting. today, was the
farewell of Secretary Algcr and the
presentation Of his SUCCESSOR. - Mr..
Root. Half an hour after the cabinet
had assembled. Mr.. Root appeared at
HE White House. He was Immediate
~ admitted and was formally present
cd I'D those NJ his new colleagues whom
he had not met lie remained but a
few minutes. lie said he would return
and assume charge of the war depart
ment, Aug. l.
Shortly after Mr.. Root had left. Gen.
Alger arrived. In saying farewell,
there were many kindly expressions Of
regret and exchanges Of well wishes.
Secretary AIgcr, tonight, Will leave
Washington To b. absent until August
!, the date when his resignation takes
effect. MI. Mciklcjohn viii he acting
secretary until that time. Mr.. Root,
th- ncw secretary, called at the war
department. today, and was with Sec
rotary Alger for some time discussing
matters relating to the department.
The cabinet remained III session
about threc-quarters Of an hour after
Con. Ayers departure. The main
topic ~ discussion was the Alaskan
boundary dispute. Secretary Hay says
thst Ne was not without hope that
these vcXgd problems would be solved
by direct negotiation. Great Britain
uuW seems willing to consider the pro-
Iusal 1f the United States To give can
ada the privilege Of q port If entry
" bile retaining the absolute sover-
eighty over the Lynn canal and it is
around this part NJ the proposition that
the hope uf q settlement now hovers
The speeches of Sir WIlfrid Laurier
and Sir Charles Upper came up Incl
dcntally. but no serious attention was
given them. Settlement by direct ne
gotiation would be the easiest as we'll
IS the most satisfactory method of dis
posing If this troublesome question
and such a settlement from the facts
developed at today's cabinet meeting
j. regarded a. by no means improba-
BE.
There was much surprise al the state
department when the British charge
d affairss. Mr.. Tower. resumed commun-
ication with Secretary Hay on this
subject. proposing to take up the offer
If this government for consideration.
II is presumed that Mr.. Tower act
"a upon cable instructions from the
foreign office in London and that il is
meant as an overture to counteract the
buster at Ottawa.
1t is not apparent how much SINGER
ity there is in the proposition from
Great Britain. but it is regarded as
only an effort to keep the negotiations
pending and prevent an abrupt termi-
nation on the part of tnIs government.
because Of the bluff of the Canadian
parliamentary leaders.
The state department is not all san
Guine of any result from the new
move on the part Of Great Britain. II
will. however. serve to remind the
Canadians that the negotiations con
corning the boundary dispute are be-
tween Great Britain and the United
states and that Canada is only. a Bgis-.
ish subject.
The acutcncss Of the Alaskan boun-
dairy situation has been 50 much re-
licvcd as a result Of the conferences,
yesterday. between Sec. Hay ana the
British charge. Mr.. Tower. that those
who have taken most active part in the
negotiations feel they can leave the
NAtA''''-
viii 90 within few days ana Mr..
Tower will leave. tomorrow night. Tor
Newport where h Will establish the
British embassy for the rest vi the
summer.
one Of the effects or renewing direct
negotiations in Washington is to ts
tablish that the Anglo-Amcrican com
mission cannot re-aSscmhle i'll quebec.
Aug = That date is only week off
ana as yet Great Britain has not named
commissioner to take the place Of tho
late Lord HcrsChcll. The purpose now
is to secure some mode Of settling the
boundary question and thus clear the
way for a meeting Of the commission
tate in the fail.
The strong language used by Sir Will |
frid Laurier and Sir Charles Upper
has not found expression in the official |
negotiations which are proceeding with |
every evidence Of good will. 1