The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-14
SITUATION
MASTERED
BY ROOT.
The New Secretary Of War is
Getting a Firm Grasp on War
Department Affairs.
THE MILITARY CONDITIONS
In the Philippines Well in Hand.
Roots Industry Surprises
Cabinet Associates.

WASHINGTON, August Is. = Seefe-
tary Root Is beginning to get hrm
grasp on the administration Of the war
department. He has been at the head
affairs only ten days, yet this has been
sufficient to show his methods and the
influence which his vigorous personality
exerts throughout the military estab-
llshment. At the outset, Mr.. Root set
about fanElarizIDg himself with the
more important details Of the depart
ment, such as a lawyer first prepares
his statement of facts as q basis for his
legal analysis. From Adjutant General
corbIn he secured data showing at a
glance a broad outline Of the army in
the field. From the quartermRster-
general he learned the number Of trans
ports. their capacity and readiness to
carry troops, and the exact status Of
stores, clothing and equipment partic-
uIarly as to General Otis forces in
front of the enemy. OF the commisSary
general, he asked Just how many ra-
tlons were in actual stock at Manila,
how long this supply would last, how
quickly It could be replenished and
whether there was ample margin for
every emergency. The same infOrmn-
ton has been drawn as to ordnance,
medical and hospital supplies, engineer
ing and signal equipment. Each bu-
reau officer submitted a sueclnct tab
ular statement, and this was supple
mented by personal talk with the sec
retary. Not only the officials here, but
those at Manila have been consulted
by cable whenever 1t has been neces-
sary to add to the completeness Of the
information at hand here. In this way
Mr.. Root has speedily brought himself
In touch with every branch Of the mil
itary service, and has gathered most
complete and analysed resume Of mill
tary affairs.
Military Situation.
While getting in hand this adminls-
trative machinery. Mr.. Root has at
the same time made a careful inquiry
into the military situation in the field.
Probably the most important military
inquiry he is pursuing is as to the ex-
act fluctuations Of the insurrection in
the Philippines since the day It began.
For that purpose q military map is
now being prepared by the adjutnnt
generals Office for the private use OF
the secretary, showing the advance of
our forces from day to day throughout
General Otis campaign, the position
ana movements on different occasions,
the retreat OF the enemy and It's posi-
tion and force from time to time. 1t
will be a blrd's-eye view of the theatre
of military operations throughout the
InsurrectIon. Dates will be written II
to show the position Of the army as
the campaign proceedd, and, as far as
possible, 1t will convey to the eye an
idea Of the scope Of the military oper-
ations in the Philippines up to date.
The preparation OF this map has been
put in charge of Major Simpson, chief
OF the bureau OF military information,
who has been giving his undivided at
tention to making 1t complete and COM
prehenslve.
While going over the military
phases OF the work the secretary has
conferred with the commanding gen
eraI, General Miles, and with General
Merritt, who Is second In command, on
the military problems presented, and
beside the military results OF these
counsels, II has established cooperation
between the executive head OF the war
department and the ranking officers OF
the army.
Meanwhile, the secretary has an
nounced no far-reaching policies. He
proceeds slowly while the facts, on
which policies rest are being assem-
bIed. II there has been some loose
and rather careless statements to to
proposed policy they have probably
been as much q surprise to him as to
the public. So too. the reports set
atloat before he entered the office, that
he would confine his attention to Cuban
affairs, leaving the Philippines to the
military authorities" have not been
borne out but on the contrary the MILL
itary exlgencles in the Philippines have
been the subject of his NEST earnest
sollcItude.
Cuba and Porto Rico.
Concerning Cuba and Port Rico, the
detailed administration of their affairs,
with It's multitude OF minor issues, is
being left largely with his assistants
and chiefs, and he is concerning himself
with the larger questions OF the recon-
structlon and future OF these islands,
and with the substitution of orderly
civil government for the military reg
lme now in force. When former Pre-
mier Rivera urged yesterday that an
order be speedily Issued for municipal
elections in Porto Rico. the secretary
replied that he hoped these elections
would occur as soon as the present un-
happy and storm-swept condition Of
the island would permit. when It was
suggested that the desolntion in Porto
Rico made oportune remission OF du-
ties on articles OF prime necessity. the
secretary said he was already confer
ring with General Davis, governor-son-
eral OF the island, as to that step.
Mr.. Root has little time for the crowd
Of callers with small requests. He is
lnborious and methodlcal worker
When there was some surprise at his