The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-14
President Is Said to BE Determined to
End the Wrangling and to Pro-
mote Major General Brooke.
S. M. B. YOUNG NEXT IN LINE
AND CHAFFEE TO BE AT HEAD OF
THE ARMY TWO YEARS HENCE.
No Mission TO Rome, but Judge Taft
May stop There on His Way Back
to the Philippines.


fairly joined between the lieutenant general
and the secretary of war. The troubles
which began long ago under the Cleveland
administration have finally reached so criti-
cal stage that the compulsory retire
ment of General Miles at an early date is
an open secret and is not denied at the
White House. In explanation of President
Roosevelts position one of his close friends,
who unquestionably speaks by authority,
says:
THE question is not personal one be-
tween General Miles and Secretary Root.
At present Secretary Root has on his shoul-
ders heavier bunden than any other MEM
ber of the administration. No man less
strong could carry it at all; and now, at
the very time when he requires the most
loyal support Of every subordinate who
wishes well the army and the Nation,
he has TO spend much of his strength in
meeting the opposition of the command
ing general. If General Miles is retired it
will be simply because, after patient trial,
President Roosevelt feels that on the high
est ethical grounds his retention would work
grave and lasting injustice to the army as
a whole.
'As some of General Miles's friends have
should be said in the first place that he
secured his promotion to a brigadier gen
eralship only through the similar forced
retired generalship of General Ord, he him
self being jumped over a number OF his
senior officers into the vacancy thus Gre
ated; and, in the second place, that the
only action of the kind taken by President
Roosevelt since he has been in office was
IN Z bo of bo
pulsorily retired, after reaching the age
of sixty-two, on the recommends ton of
General Miles. In other words, the general
has himself recommended and profited by
the very action which his friends now fear
may be taken at his expense. If he should
go out before General Brooke is retired
General Brooke, who is General Miles's
senior both in service and in age, and who
did gallant and distinguished work as a
volunteer in the civil war, undoubtedly
would be put in his place as lieutenant gen.
eral, as it is known that the administra-
tion has been very desirous of recognizing
General Brookes long and faithful service
General Brooke, during the civil war, rem
dered equally meritorious service with Gen.
Miles; Gen. Brooke was the first to obtain
commission and throughout the civil war
he retained his advantage, ending the war
as Gen. Miles's senior. After peace came
Gen. Miles was promoted over Gen
Brookes head. AS Gen. Brooke will neces-
sarily hold the position but a brief period
before his retirement for age, Gen. S. NJ B.
Young is likely to succeed Gen. Brooke and
Gen. Chaffee's promotion to follow two
years hence"
In administration circles in Washington
there has been some amusement over the
talk raised about the so-caled mission to
Rome. The facts are that Governor Taft
has impressed very strongly upon the
President and his secretary of war that
the question of getting rid of the friars
was of vital consequences to peace in the
| Philippines, and that to accomplish this it
was necessary to deal directly with the
head of the corporation involved, Rome
After much consideration it was decided
that Governor Taft should stop at Rome
on his way from the Philippines to consult
with the church authorities and see if it
would not be possible to come outright TO
some agreement on behalf of the Philip
pine government. There would be nothing
of any kind or shape in the matter which
would suggest anything in the way of
diplomatic relations. 1t would be purely
business transaction. The United States
government is neither favorable nor hostile
to any particular sect. 1t desires TO treat
all alike with exact justice. 1t does not
wish to do injustice to the friars by taking
away their lands without compensation. on
! the other hand. ii recognizes that although
/ the Christian Filipinos are practically all
| Roman Catholics they are nevertheless a
unit i'm demanding that the friars' leave the
/ islands. Governor Taft, better than any
\ other man, could explain this state of
/ things at Rome. 1t is believed if an honor
/ able and satisfactory arrangement can be
reached the result would be the most bene-
/ fetal TO the islands and that probably no
/ other one thing could do as much good.