Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-08-18
FEVER ABATING.
THE REPORTS WE'RE GREATLY
EXAGGERATED.
Secretary Root May Make Some Amends if
Not Handicapped by the Administration
There Is Only Ono AIser." Thank Heav.
en!-Gen Otis Must Go-Another Oppor.
tunity for Expansion" at San Domingo.

throughout the country as to the cpl
demic of yellow fever ut the National
Soldiers Home at Hampton. Va
have proven to be grossly exaggerated
Owing to the prompt and energetic
measures taken by the authorities the
disease appears to be fully under con-
troll, and an epidemic character really
at no time prevailed. Official report
to Surgeon General Wyman reports
no new cases, and if the favorable tenn.
perature prevails, the now pending
cases are expected to run satisfac.
tory course. So far there have been
81 cases, eleven of them resulting in
death. The situation at the Home
and immediate vicinity is considered
satisfactory. The exaggerated reports
cast so recklessly abroad are much to
be regretted.
1t appears probable from develop
ments during the past few days in the
War Department that Secretary Root
has in contemplation an army of quite
10000 men for the Philippines.
While Mr.. Root has been at the head
of the department. only brief time,
the trend of his efforts has been, it is
alleged, wholly in the direction of an
increase in the available forces in the
East. The belief is growing in army
circles that Secretary Root has in
mind a plan practically matured To
make Gen. Otis available force at
least 10000 men. The number of en-.
listments in the new volunteer army
have now reached a total of 9O63.
Secretary Root has made favorable
impression in official circles here.
What especially impressed the officers
who welcomed their new chief, was
the business-like manner in which he
went about things. 1t was noticed,
however, that the new Secretary has
no present intention of downing Cor
bin" as some persons have urged him
to do. At the same time it appears
that Gen. Miles is to receive every
consideration. There can be, how
ever, no change in the department
personnel. The heads of the bureaus
cannot be disturbed by any Secretary,
unless by assent of the President and
Congress. The incompetent must
continue to block progress until old
age removes them to the retired list.
1t is tho system that needs revising
and Secretary Root understands the
situation.
"There is only one Alger" was dis
played on two immense banners at
the reception given to Elk Secretary
Alger upon his return to Detroit.
This inscription stated the situation
in q nutshell. If there had been
more in the past eighteen months, il
is painful to imagine what would
have become OF the country. One AL
ger demoralized the army, several OF
them would have shaken the founda-
tions of the Government and reduced
the country to . state of chaos. The
people outside of Detroit regard the
existence of "only one Alger" as a
merciful deportation OF Providence.
This Republic has to carry many bur.
dens. Heavily weighted as it is, it
has still managed to keep above water.
With the tribe of official Algers in
creased, however, its burden would be-
como greater than it could sustain.
There is national rejoicing over the
fact, that there is a" only ono Alger."
Now that he has retired to private life,
let us hope his species will become ex-
tinct as a factor Of American govern
ment. The reception accorded to
Gen. Alger in Detroit was also re-
markable for the utterance of Gov.
Pingree. The Governor has been act
ing as mouthpiece of Gen. Alger
and saying what the latter thinks but
refrains from uttering. Through Pin
gree's receptive and agile mouth he
can anathemize Mr.. Mckinley and
hold him up in contempt. Gen. Al
ger will find Gov. Pingree valuable
medium for expressing his views of
those who have relegated him to the
dullness OF a provincial existence at
Detroit, after allowing him to taste
the joys of official power at Washing.
ton. Mr.. Alger will have an excellent
opportunity to get seven" with the
administration who made scapegoat
of him. He has not had his moneys
worth, il he was, a. it is asserted, a
heavy contributor to the purchase OF
the Republican election Of 1896.
As for the Philippines, there is no
doubt that an entirely new deal in the
matter of leadership and policy must
take place soon. Gen. Otis clearly
does not grasp the situation, or don't
know how to deal with it. He has
not men enough uuder his command
and he is responsible for that condi-
ton of affairs, for the President has
accepted his advice and judgment in
the premises. Unfortunately he
seems to continue to do 90. Gen.
eral Otis should be set aside At
once. Mr.. Mckinley will have to be
forced to tho step by public pressure.
There is plenty of better material in
our army to take the place OF the in
capable Otis.
The recent assassination and dis.
puted succession of Pres. Heureux of
the Dominican Republic are likely to
bring new problems at our doors. 1t
is alleged that powerful American
syndicate has practically contrOl of tho
finances and affairs of that country.
Two waiships have been ordered 10
San Domingo TO protect American in
terests. Syndicstes have been very
we'll cared for by the present Admins
tration and there is no reason why we
should not take in San Domingo, if
the seizure of the Philippines can be
justified. All Territorial syndicates
ought to look alike to Mr.. Mckinley
and manifest destiny" ought not 10
make any discrimination between