Evening star., 1900-03-29
Potent Power Major Runcie Exerted
for Cuba's Good.
A SKETCH OF his CAREER
From His Ideas the New Laws of
the Island Will Rise.
DEVOTION TO GENERAL WOOD
Copyright, 1900. by ]. D. Whelpley.)
ecial Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

HAVANA, March Il, 1870.
Secondary only to the American control
as represented by Governor Wood. has been
the influence Of James E. Runcie in Cuban
affairs. His name Is hardly known in the
United States in connection with the gov
ernment of Cuba, but it is not an exaggera-
ton to say that in nearly all matters con-
cerning the present civil government Of the
island and the laying of the foundations
for the hoped-for republic his mentality and
personality have been the strongest guiding
and controlling influence. He held no Off
cial position. he drew no salary from the
island treasury, ostensibly he welded no
authority. His relations to Governor Wood
were Of purely personal character, and yet
no man as prime minister to the ruling
power Of a kingdom of equal size ever
swayed it's destinies more effectually.
The man himself is a most interesting
character. His first and only controlling
principle is loyalty to Leonard Wood. He
gives him a love and admiration which
comes to few men in these days. He be-
lieves he owes his life to him, and, such
being the case, that Governor Wood has the
first and only call upon his energies and
upon such talents as he may possess. For
tunately for the governor of Cuba, the tai
ents of James E. Runcie are of no mean
order, and they lie in a direction which
made them of incalculable value to the
man who was attempting to reconstruct the
social, legal, commercial and political sys-
tens Of million and a half people.
How He Met Leonard Wood.
Major Runcie, as he is now called, grad
uated from West Point in the class of 1879.
His keen, analytical mind led him to the
front rank of the mathematicians and he
was retained at the point as an instructor
in that branch for several years. Later he
served with the line at various stations,
but generally in California His aptitude
for staff duty was quickly recognized and
he served the department for several years
in that capacity. By an accident he was
severely injured, and in 1893 was retired
from the army for physical disability. 1t
was as a result of this accident that he
was first brought into close contact with
Leonard Wood, then an army surgeon.
Major Runcie claims that DR.. Wood saved
his life on that occasion and that it was
entirely due to his skill and interest that
he did not die instead Of living to be re-
tired.
After leaving the army Major Runc.e
commenced the practice of laE In san Fran
cisco. He was successful Id building up
profitable business. but it was not long be-
fore his health again necesSitated a SERIOUS
and difficult surgical operation. Dr. WOOD
was then in Washington, and it was to him
that Runcie went. This cernented the
friendship of the two men to even more
marked degree, and Runcie stood ready
from that time to devote his life to the
service of Leonard Wood should the latter
ask it.
General Counsel to Governor.
1t was during his convalescence in Wash
ington that the war with Spain commenced.
and Runcie Immediately volunteered his
services. He was made a major in a VOL
unteer regiment from Ohio. His regiment
went to Tampa, but never got farther than
that during the war. After he was mus
tered out and before he had time to return
to the Pacific coast Leonard Wood, then
brgadier general in command at Santiago,
sent for him to come there and give him
the benefit of his legal knowledge. Runcie
went, for, according to his creed he could
do nothing else. When Brigadier General
Wood went to Washington he left Major
Runcie in Santiago as his personal repre-
sentative. When Major General Wood
came to Havana he cabled Major Runcte
to meet him here, and Major Runcie came.
Major Runcie's position, if he may have
been said to have had one. was that of
general counsel to the governor. With him
General Wood talked over all questions
which arose. To him We're referred all
legal matters, many questions of policy and
who was all the reform commissions
which have been created by the governor.
He was there as a personal representative
of the powers that be. He served on the
commission to revise the laws, the commits
sion on taxation, the board of prisons, the
board of pardons and also acted in his ca
paclty as general adviser to the American
authorities. His one dominant and aii-ab-
sorbing purpose in all his work was to help
Governor Wood by helping to make the
present administration in Cuba a success.
Such personal devotion and such adapta
biity for the work in hand are rarely met.
Major Runcie is slight of frame, but gives
the impression of wiry physique, one of
those who are found in the lead when men
Of more imposing build have given up the
struggle. He has keen dark eyes, a face
full Of intelligence and purpose, and a mind
which works in flashes accurate, analytic
and positive. His tongue is ready, and he
wields fluent pen. His knowledge of law
is comprehensive. He speaks Spanish flu
emily and reads 1t even better. He has made
a thorough study of the Spanish law of
Cuba, and what Is more, has achieved a
comprehensive view of its system, purpose,
defects and good points. He comprehends
the Cuban nature thoroughly, its strength
and its weakness. He is one of those who
believes that Cuba needs the United States
more than the United States needs Cuba.
He says any man is a fool who will at
tempt at this time to set a limit to the
probable occupation of the island by the
Americans.
Peculiar Faculty.
In number he represented but one-fifth
of the reform commissions now at work.
In influence. representing as he did, the
American government, he constituted a ma
jCrity. In the reports of these commits
his conception of the needs of Cuba that
will spring the new scheme of laws and
taxation in the island, which is to be the
foundation of the new republic. His meth
DDS are positive, and at times seem auto
cratic, but he has a peculiar faculty for
distinguishing between dangerous and ad-
Vantageous antagonism. This is the char
acteristic which made mis- services of such
great value to Governor Wood, for Major
Runcie viewed all things from the stand
point of their influence upon the present
position and the future reputation of his
friend and chief, the American governor
of the island.
To him was referred not long ago deli
cate question of precedent The United
States government bought some land near
Havana for the use of the quartermaster's
department. The question arose as to
where the title should rest. 1t was not de-
sired, nor was 1t considered polite to con-
vey it TO the United States direct, as it in
volved land which commanded some of the
Notifications of the harhor.
Major Runcie promptly solved the Diff
Guilty by recommending that the deeds
should convey the land to the governor
general of Cuba as an official and not as
an individual 1t was the wisest and the
most diplomatic thing to do. 1t implied