Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-21
IL GEN. WEELERS CASE OTIS DEATH RATE STRUCK BY TRAN
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PRESIDENT HM WHAT ACTUAL NARROW TWO
Accmpsh
Die
Was Not Settled at His Call on Mr..
Root Today.
PRESIDENT DESIRES TO HONOR him
Legislation Required to Accomplish
This.
PROPOSED RETIREMENT

Gen. Wheeler called at the War Depart
ment this morning and officially reported
his return from the Philippines to Secre-
tary Root. In accordance with the orders of
the department. 1t was expected that the
question of Gen. Wheeler's future military
status would be determined at this meet
ing of the two officials. Secretary Root
was so busy, however, with other important
questions which had accumulated during his
absence from the city, that it was con-
cluded best to defer the consideration Of
Gen. Wheeler's case to more opportune
time. The matter will probably be settled
within few days. Meanwhile the resigna-
tion of Gen. Wheeler from the volunteer
army will be held in abeyance The ques-
tion as to Gen. Wheelers eligibility to a
seat in Congress will be held up pending
the settlement of his military status
The Presidents Desire.
There is strong desire to put the names
of Gen. Wheeler, Gen. Wilson and Gen.
Lee on the retired list of the army, with
the rank of brigadier general, but the exc
cution of this plan requires special legis-
lation by Congress. Existing law prohib-
its man of sixty-four years of age or
over from serving on the active list in the
army. Gen. Lee and Gen. Wilson are each
over sixty-four years Of age, and Gen.
Wheeler will be siXty-four in September
next.
The last named. therefore, is the only one
OF the three eligible for appointment to the
regular army, and the short time he would
nave to serve in case of appointment is
made an argument against such action.
Moreover, the desire of the President is
understood to be to honor the three dis
unsuished volunteer officers In the same
way, and not to single out any particular
one for special preferment. With the con-
sent of Congress it would be possible to
appoint them all brigadier generals on the
retlred list, but not otherwise. Such ac-
ton would enable them to reiinauish their
present duties and insure their future well
fare.
May Command Department.
In case Gen. Wheeler is induced to re-
consider his alleged determination to retire
from the army for the purpose of taking
his seat in Congress it is not unlikely that
he may be assigned to the command of
the department of the lakes, or the depart
ment of the Columbia, both of which have
been vacant for several months. Gen. Wade
is temporarily in command of the depart
ment of the lakes and Gen. Shafter in
command of the department of the Column
bia in addition to their regular duties as
commanders of the department of Dakota
and department of California, respectively
The SickIes Precedent.
Following the precedent established in
the case Of General Shafter, General
Wheeler may continue on active duty in
definitely under his volunteer commission,
but in case of his transfer to the regular
establishment he would be obliged to re-
liEquish active duty upon reaching the age
or sixty-four years in September next
Ihere is reason to believe that General
Wheeler would be willing to forego his
rights to a seat in Congress under exist
Ing conditions provided he was assured of
an appointment to the regular army As
an officer on the retired list there would
be no question to his eligibility to a
seat in the national legislature in case his
former constituents still desire to elect him
a representative The case of General
Sickles, ex-reDresentative from New York,
settled that point.