El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-07-11
Efficiency,
Not Politics
Will Now As Always Be the
Standard BY Which Presi-
dent Mckinley Will Select
Volunteer Officers.

In Washington July 8 Governor
Roosevelt dictated the following inter
view:
81 have come to Washington at the re
quest at the president to go over with
him and officers of the war department,
certain questions affecting the new
volunteer army, especially as regards
the question of the personnel OF the
officers. The president has told me
that he wishes only recommendations
based upon the efficiency of the men
recommended, and that he will pay heed
to no others. Most certainly l should
give no others, and 1 feel that the pre-
sident's attitude in the matter in the
face of the terrific political pressure to
which he is and will be subjected, is
such as to entitle him to tho support OF
all men who feel that politics has no
place in the army, who feel that it is
whole country, and that in the giving
of commissions and promotions alike
absolutely no consideration should en-
ter outside the merit of the men as
eOldiers.
"My own recommendations will be
limited to the men 1 had under me,
that saw in action, and to the mem
bers of the New York volunteer regi-
ments, of whose merits l have, as gov
ernor, not merely official knowledge,
but also the 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 those
islands, Mr.. Roosevelt said:
''Of course any American worthy of
the name must stand behind the presi-
the insurrection in the Philippines to
an end. I have no doubt that by the
beginning of the dry season Gen. Otis
will be in shape to stamp out all resis-
tance, and the president will see q
reign of absolute law and justice. 1t
can not be too clearly kept in mind
that the whole trouble is due to the
men who for two months prevented the
ratification of the peace treaty and to
those who declined to give the presi-
dent 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 the most blood
shed brought on our own troops and
the natives of the philippines; and the
would be traitors who have since been
encouraging Aguinaldo and his follow
ers to the limit of their small capacity.
Such are the guilty SO far as their
fee BILE powers permit. Those who OPP
posed giving forces we needed thereby
showed themselves traitors to their
country. Every man who so voted in
the senate may have the satisfaction of
knowing that he has done all that he
could to bring discredit upon the flag
and disgrace upon our arms.
sit is all the more to the credit of the
that it has steadfastly
pursued the path of national honor aud
upheld the interests and
good name of the nation in spite of the
way it has been hampered by those who
sought to betray the nation. We have
q right to demand the support of every
true American for the administration g
policy in the Philippines and every
American who is far-sighted and pa
5riotic should join in denouncinR alike
the men who strive to give aid and
comfort to the foes not only of the
but of civilization in the
Philippines, and also those other men
who would prevent our army being
made equal to the national need"