The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-25
Is a Much Abused Man Says
Senator Foraker.
Played the Part OF a Buffer
For the President.
HAS MADE MISTAKES
But the President Was Also Re-
spOnsible.
Declares Public Sentiment Will
Soon React.

Cincinnati, July Ex-senator Foraker
has returned from the east. He was
in New York, Washington and at Deer
Park, Md, where his family have To-
Gated for the summer. Senator For
aker is looking first rate, and, as he
puts it, he never felt better in his life.
4 rather like a vacation" he said,
''to admit the truth. A continuous va
cation might not be desirable, but an
occasional one, as I view it, is all
right
Speaking of General Alger having re-
signed as secretary of war, Senator
Foraker said:
I know nothing more about the
resignation of Secretary Alger than has
been published in the newspapers. 1
did not see him when I was in Wash
ington, and have not seen him for sew
eral months. I am Of the opinion,
however, that he has been a very much
abused man. Doubtless he has made
some mistakes. 1t would be strange
if he had not But it can be safely said
that practically everything for which
he has been attacked and criticized, the
president is as much responsible for as
he was, for know, as all do who were
about Washington while the war was
in progress, that Secretary Alger was
IN consultation with the president, not
only every day, but three or four or five
or SIX times day; so that attacking
Alger was only another way of attack
ing the president. think the president
viii miss him. He has been a sort of
buffer for the administration, against
which all assaults have been leveled.
His resignation will not stop such
SlaughtS. There will be mistakes and
subjects of criticism hereafter as well
as heretofore, and somebody else will
be substituted as the target. Alger will
not be there to take the sin and bear
it away into the wilderness. If 1 mis-
take not public sentiment will quickly
nd n fn Mo tor
Alger in a better light than he has
been"
What do you think his chances are
to be senator from Michigan2'
I do not know anything about it,
and have no opinion on the subject"
who do you think, senator, has ig-
nored Miles-Alger or Mckinley"
I do not know about that, except
as advised by the newspapers; but it is
now quite manifest to everybody that
a mistake was made in that respect.
General Miles, when the war broke out
was not only the commanding general
of the army, but he had had experience
as a commander of large bodies of men
ana OF departments, and was probably
far better qualified than any other gem
eral of the army, except Merritt, for the
important commands that the war
made necessary. He is not only a SOL
der with a good record but he is q
man of fine Intellectual endowment of
high character and splendid attain
ments; he has culture and refinement
ana IS under all circumstances a gentle
man
RECALLING OF OTIS.
"Wfll Otis be recalled or any charge
be made in the command of the Ma
Mia forces %
I do not know. Some of the news
papers are very vigorously making that
kind of demand I do not know
enough about the details of his cam
pa1gn to have a very intelligent opinion
as to what should be done; but it is
pretty clear that while we have gained
all the battles we have not, as a general
result, accomplished as much as an
ticipated or hoped for. Whose fault
1t IS those better informed than 1 am
must determine
viii the appointment of a new sec
rotary of war change the policy of the
administration? ?"
I do not know but I hope there will
be vigorous endeavOr to bring the
war to an end in some manner. for it is
not IN any point of view attended with
very much glory or very much salts
faction" !