The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-07-25

Washington, July 22.-Elihu Root, Of
New York, has accepted the war port
folio in President McKinley's cabinet.
The telegram of acceptance was re-
cefved shortly after noon today while
Secretary Long was with the presi-
dent Secretary Alger had just left.
The tender of the war portfolio was
made to Mr.. Root last night after the
conference at the White house.
AS the president will leave for the
-Adirondacks Wednesday or Thursday
of next week, it is hardly probable
that Mr.. Root will come to Washing
ton to confer with him before that time.
1t is regarded as more likely that Mr..
Root will meet the president at Lake
'Champlain the latter part of the week.
The announcement of Mr.. Roots ap-
pointment was made at the war de-
partment. 1t was stated that Senator
Plat came to Washington last even
ing, armed with authority from Mr..
Root to accept in his name the war
portfolio. 1t is not expected that the
acceptance will make any change in
the plans of Secretary Alger and he
will remain on duty here until the end
of the present month, being assisted
by Mr.. Meiklejohn, who is expected to
reach Washington this afternoon.
Secretary Alger had confidently ex-
pected the appointment of Mr.. Root,
and was very much pleased at the pres
,ident's choice. This was evidenced in
the following letter which Secretary
Alger addressed yesterday to his sue
,ceSSOr:
Washington, D. c., July q.
My Dear Mr.. Root: All 1 know is
what the newspapers say that you are
to succeed me as secretary of war
Should it come to you l most earnest
ly urge you to make the sacrifice and
accent the position. With your great
knowfedge OF law ana your excellent
health, you can serve the country in a
way given to few men.
Sincerely yours,
ITO Hon. Elihu Root, New York:
Secretary Alger called at the White
house today and for a short time dis
cussed with the president some ap-
pointments to commissions in the vol
unteer army. He drove from the White
house direct to the station where he
met his wife. Together they left for
Thorndale, Pa, to spend Sunday with
their daughter.
Secretary Alger this afternoon ad-
dressed the following telegram to Mr.
Root at Southampton, upon hearing Of
his acceptance of the war portfolios:
Accept my best congratulations and
thanks
Secretary Alger is in receipt of a
great many letters and kilograms from
persons in every station in life, all
touching upon his retirement from the
cabinet. SO numerous are they that
the secretary finds himself physically
unable to make proper separate re-
sponses and has requested the Associ-
ated Press to convey an acknowledge
ment Of his deep appreciation Of the
sentiments expressed.
EEhu Root was born February Is,
1S45, at Clinton, Oneida county, New
York. He graduated from Hamilton
college in the class of 1864 and entered
the New York university law school,
He was admitted to the bar in 1867,
since which time he has zen in active
practice of his professiOs#
ITALIAN LYNCHING ,ECOMES AN
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIR.
The lynching of five italians in Lou
isiana yesterday promises to assume an
international aspect through, the action
of the Italian government. Count Vim
chi, the Italian charge d affaires, call
ed at the state department at an ear
ly hour this morning, and made rep
resentatiOnS to the officials concern
ing the atrocity in Louisiana.
In order to get full information as a
basis for action by this government,
Secretary Hay, thereupon, telegraphed
the governor of Louisiana, requesting
all the facts in the case. Count Vinchi's
action was predicated on reports from
the Italian consular officials in Lou
isiana and the press reports. There is
reason to believe also that the Italian
foreign office is already fully informed
on the occurrence.
1t is probable, however, that the rep
reservations of today are only prelim-
mary, with the view to calling atten-
tion to the facts reported and to pave
the way for any protest or demand for
reparation which may follow. The af-
fair is considered in official Italian
quarters as much like that in the Malta
cases at New Orleans, while Mr.. Blaine
was secretary of state, at which time
the Italian minister, Baron Fava, call
ed for his passports and left the coun-
try. Baron Fava is now in Rome on
vacation, and during his absence Count
Vinchi has charge of Italian affairs In
this country.
Count Vinchrs representations to the
state department were based upon
brief dispatch from the acting consul
at New Orleans, Mr.. Pabini. Count
Vinchi at once directed that all the
particulars in the case be secured and
that special inquiry be made as So
whether the victims of the lynching
were Italian citizens who had not yet
become naturalized. In submitting the
matter to the state department. Count
vinchi wrote note recfting the tele-
gram and reinforcing it with an ex-
preston Of the hope that steps wifi be
taken to ascertain the facts and extend
protection to Italians in the neighbor-
hood.