The Portland daily press., 1899-08-14
BUSY SECRETARY ROOT.
He Is Informing Himself on Matters
Connected with War Department.


Washington, August 13.-Secretary Root
is beginning to get firm grasp on the
administration OF the war department
He has been at the head of affairs only
ten days. yet this has been sufficient
to show his methods and the influence
which his vigorous personality exerts
throughout the military establishment
At the outset Mr.. Root set about family
arizing himself with the more impor-
tant details of the department. much as
q lawyer prepares his statement OF facts
MS tasis for his legal analysis. Frcm
Adjutant General CorbIn he secured data
showing at glance broad outline of
the army In the field. From the quar-
termaster general he learned the number
OF transports, the capacity and readiness
to carry troops and the exact status Of
stores. clothing and equipment particu-
larly as to Gen. Otis's forces In front Of
ths enemy.
From the cominissary general he asked
just how many rations were in actual
stock at Manila, how long this supply
would last, how quickly 1t could be re-
plsnished and whether there was margin
for every emergency.
The same information has been drawn
as to ordnance, medical and hospital sup
plies, engineering and signal equipment.
Each bureau officer submitted sue
cinot tabulated statement and this was
supplemented by personal talk with the
Secretary. Not only the officials here.
hut those at Manila and Havana have
been consulted by cable, whenever 1t has
teen necessary TO aid the completeness OF
the information. In this way MIR. Root
has speedily brought himself into touch
with every branch Of the military service
and has gathered most complete and
analysed resume Of the military affairs.
While getting in hand this administra-
tive machinery, Mr.. Root has at the same
time made a careful inquiry Into ths
military situation In the field. Probably
the most Important military inquiry he
Is pursuing is as to the exact fluctuations
Of the insurrection In the Philippines
since the day 1t began. For that purpose
military map is now being prepared
by the adjutant generals Office for the
private use Of the secretary, showing the
advance of cur forces from day to day,
throughout Gen. otis's campaign.
While going over the military phases
OF the work, the secretary has conferred
with the commanding general, Gen.
Miles and with Gen. Merritt who is sec-
ond in command, on the military prob
lens presented and beside the military
results of these counsels he has estab-
lished cooperation between the execu-
tive head OF the war department and the
ranking officers Of the army.
Reports set sdoat before he entered
office, that he would oontine his attention
to Cuban affairs, leaving the Philippines
TO "the military authorities. have not
been toine out, but on the contrary the
military exigenoies In the Philippines
have been the object of his most earnest
solicitude.
Concerning Cuba and Porto Rico, the
detailed administration of their affairs
with its multitude of minor Issues, is be-
Ing left largely with his assistants and
chiefs and he is concerning himself with
the larger questions of the future of the
isiaDds and with the substitution of or
derly civil government for the military
regime now in force.