The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1899-08-10
Washington Letter.

The new secretary of war Is astonishing
the bureau officers of the war department.
They had accepted the statement that the
new secretary was to devote his time to
solving the legal problems which arise in
administering the affairs of the depart
ment, but they find that he intends to be
at the head Of the department In all things,
and, what is more, that he has ideas on
military matters, either his own or those
of experts from who he has taken advice,
| probably the latter-and that from now
on they are to be subordinates, in fact as
we'll as in name. While no official orders
have been issued saying as much explicit
ly, the talk and acts of Secretary Root
have made 1t apparent that he intends
having between forty and fifty thousand
effective fighting men in the Philippines
by the close of the rainy season. also
probable that he intends, without in any
way discrediting Gen. Otis, to 80 arrange
matters that Gen. Otis will perform the
duties properly pertaining to the military
governorship of the Philippines, and will,
of course, retain the supreme command
of the troops over there, another man
most likely Gen. Lawton,-will be given
command of the troops which are to do
the fighting which it Is hoped will put an
end to the rebellion In short order. When
it is considered that Secretary Root has
only been in Office a week, it cannot be
denied that he seems to have made a
rushing start, nor that he has made de-
cidedly good impression upon the public.
if not upon all of the old fogy precedent
worshippers among the bureau officials
of his department.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Canadian pre-
mier, has a bad fit of the sulks because of
the ridicule with which his recent war
like remarks were received by the press
of the U. s. He is so bad off that he has
refused the invitation of the citizens Of
Chicago to attend the laying Of the corner
stone of the new post Office in that city,
by President Mckinley in October, for
himself and the governor general Of
Canada, although 1t had been understood
unoficially for months that they would
accept and attend. The formal invitation
was taken to Ottawa by Mr.. F. w. Fitz-
patrick, treasury official, who is per-
sonal friend of Sir Wilfrid, and who re-
turned by Washington day or two ago
and reported the failure of his mission.
This sort of baby-acting is rather amusing
than otherwise, even when smaller men
than Sir Wilfred engage in 1t, and 1t Is
likely to provoke more ridtcule than did
the silly bluster about war over the
Alaskan boundary. The American press
never allows it's own public men to play
either the baby or the buffer without
taking few shots at them, and those of
Canada cannot expect that such action on
their part will be overlooked. --
Ex-Queen Liliuokalani, of Hawaii Is
now keeping house In Washington, just
like thousands of other widows with
small incomes. She has been in Wash
ington for the greater part of three years,
and will probably continue to make her
home at the national capital as long as
she thinks there is chance of getting
congress to recognize her claim to the So
called crown-lands of Hawaii. She now
calls herself an American. She recently
said to caller: 81 am a thorough
American. I love the history of the
country. 1t Is the heir apparent of all
that former nations have had to fight and
perish for. 1t seems to have come to
America only when perfected, and she
has not had to pass through centuries OF
suffering to obtain 1t. 1t inspires me to
the snow was on the ground, and the
trees were bare. and lifeless. There was
a still solemnity about the scene that af
fected me deeply, and I thought I should
never want to go there again. did &C
again, but it was In the springtime. Every
thing was so joyous that it seemed like 6
veritable renaissance, and l almost ex
pected to see Washington walk forth ano
take part in the carnival of life and beauty
Perhaps that may savor of poetic imagery
but we Hawaiians are fond of music anC
poetry" 1t is difficult to reconcile sucf
sentiment with the blood-thirsty words
and acts credited to this woman when SHE
was queen of Hawaii, but the world IL
full of difficulties.
Col. Jack Hayes, one of the most notet
Indian fighters In the regular army spen
day or two in Washington, enroute t.
the Philippines, where he will have com
: mand of cavalry regiment. He ha
been serving under Gen. Ftz Lee in Cuba
8 the two being old friends and comrades
having both been wounded in the sam
Indian battle, away back in the fifties
when they were young lieutenants. Col
I Hayes said of his contemplated Philip
= pine campaign: 81 think that when tn
= cavalry get after the Aguinaldo outfit, tn
9 rebels wont last long. We ought to hav
q had more mounted troops there from tn
first"
4 No RIGHT TO UGLINEss.-The woman