New-York tribune., 1901-10-24
Mr.. ROOT AT WORK AGAIN.
MANY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AWAIT
ING THE SECRETARY'S ATTENTION.
NO ALARM FELT OVER THE SITUATION IN
sAMAR-CHAFFEEs FORCE NOT To
BE INCREASED
[By TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIsuyr. I

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE-l
Washington Oct. 23.-Secretary Root was at
his desk in the War Department to-day for the
first time in nearly three months. The Secre-
tary appeared robust. IN spite of the reports to
the contrary which have been scattered over the
country in his absence from Washington. He
arrived IN the city last night from the Adj
rondack resort where he has been staying for
the last few weeks Il haven't felt better in
years., said the Secretary to Tribune CORE
spondent. "and. barring the fact that a vaca-
ton always units man for work, realize that
my extended absence from the department has
been benefit to me-"
Mr. Root found vast amount of business
awaiting his attention. Though all the routine
of the department has been carefully looked
after in his absence by Assistant Secretary
Sanger. great deal of important work which
demands the exclusive attention OF the head
or the department has accumulated in the
Secretary's long vacation. This includes sew
eral important questions in connection with
the military situation in the Philippines. the
withdrawal of troops from Cuba and the
establishment OF the Cuban republic the es-
taohshment OF the proposed War College and
the selection of permanent camp grounds for
the instruction Of troops of the regular army
and the National Guard. One of the questions
requiring his earliest attention relates to the
army in the Philippines. 1t is for him to deter
mine whether existing conditions require that re-
Inducements shall be sent TO General Chafree
or whether the army may be reduced without
impairing its efficiency.
While the officials of the War Department are
watching with keen interest the developments
in Samar. they do not believe that the outbreak
will reach any serious stage. Samar has never
been under civil rule. but has been controlled
ands mentioned in General MacArthur's last re-
port as being IN such state as to require mill
tary supervision. 1t is believed at the depart
handle the insurgents in Samar. There is no
present intention of increasing the force in the
Philippines. The troops to be sent TO the Phil
ippines In the next month or two will take the
places OF those whose terms of enlistment have
expired.
TROOPS READY TO START FOR MANILA
BY the expiration OF enlistments within the
next few months the army IN the Philippines
will be reduced by about ten thousand men.
The officials Of the War Department are max
ing preparations to meet this difficulty by the
transfer of troops from the United States. Final
action this point awaits only the approval
OF the Secretary OF War. Troops and trans
ports are ready to start for the Philippines as
soon as he gives the word. II is expected that
the first expeditions will start from San Fran
cisco early next month on the transports Grant
and Meade and that more troops Will be for
warded later from New-York by way Of the
Suez Canal the transport Crook. The reduc-
tions will be gradual. and will be met from
time to time by fresh troops as required. These
arrangements based the belief that il
will be necessary TO maintain the Philippine
army at strength Of about forty thousand
men for time 10 come.
Secretary Root at once plunged into business
with his old time vigor. and by working, as he
usually does fifteen to eighteen hours a day he
will probably catch up in week two. In the
mean time he must begin the preparation Of his
annual report TO Congress-. which would have