The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-14
ROOSEVELT
TOOK IT AS
COMPLIMENT.
viii Not Answer Criticism Of
Former Secretary Long Of
Work in Navy Department.

Washington, Oct. H-President Roose-
Welt will not notice the article by former
Secretary OF the Navy John ID. Long in
the current issue OF the Outlook. which
rather bluntly comments on Theodore
Roosevelt's services as assistant secretary
OF the navy.
A great majority of those who have
read the article are sure 1t was written
in an unsriendly spirit. But President
Roosevelt refuses TO believe his former
chief. Mr.. Long. sought TO assail him.
although directing 10 him such sentences
and expressions as these.
His ardor sometimes went faster than
the president or. the department appre-
ciated. Just before the war he, as we'll as
some naval officers were anxious to send
a squadron across the ocean 10 sink the
ships and torpedo-boat destroyers of the
Spanish feet while we were yet at peace
with Spain.
He worked indefatigably, frequently
Incorporating his views, in memoranda
which he would place every morning on
my desk. Most or his suggestions had.
however, so far as applicable, already
been adopted by the various bureaus, the
chiefs OF which were straining every
nerve and leaving nothing undone. When
suggested TO him that some future his
torian reading his memoranda, IL they
were put on record, would get the i'm
preston that the bureaus were inefficient
he accepted the suggestion with the gem
erous good nature which is so marked In
him
STRAIGHT COURSE TO FAME
He was heart and soul in his work.
His typewriters had no rest. He. too,
lacks the rare knack OF brevity.
'At cost as soon, however as war was
declared he resigned the assistant sec
retaryship OF the navy. 10 accept the
lieutenant co onelcy of the Rough Rider
regiment in the army. Together with
many OF his friends, / urged him siren
uously TO remain in the navy, arguing
that he would there make a signal repu-
tation. and that to go into the army
would be only 10 fight mosquitoes on the
Florida sands or fret In camp at Chicka-
mauga- How right he was I'm his prog
nosis and how wrong we were In ours
the result has shown He took the
straight course to fame. to the governor
ship of New York and to the presidency
OF the United States
His room In the navy department
after his decision 10 enter the army
which preceded for some time his res
ignation as assistant secretary. was an
interesting scene. IL bubbled over with
enthusiasm and was filed with bright
young fellows from all over the country
college graduates and old associates
from the Western ranches-aH eager to
serve with Roosevelt. The Rough Rider
uniform was In evidence; II climbed the,
steps OF the navy department, IL filled
It's corridors: guns uniforms. all sorts
OF military traps and piles OF paper filled
the areistant secretary's room, and II
was all the very inspiration OF young
manhood
PRESIDENT is PLEASED.
Government officials and navy officers
smile when they read the former secre-
tary'a words Indeed. nothing could he
pIeasarter than our relations" hut Mr.,
Roosevelt takes them literally He re-
CARDS not as a thrust but as highly COM
plimentsry Mr. Longs statement that
his typewriters never rested; II proves
that he did not Fleep while there was
work 10 be done
None OF the presidents friends denies
that he wanted 10 send a squadron TO
Spanish waters before war was declared
But they do not admit he wished the
squadron 10 attack the Spanish fleet be-
fore declaration OF war.
His only idea. they say. was 10 prevent
Spain from reinforcing her troops in
Cuba. and this. he thought, could he done
by having an American squadron In
Spanish waters before p declaration of
war was made Such action by the United
States, Mr.. Roosevelt argued. would
serve 10 keep Spain engaged with prob
lens OF home defense instead OF planning
how 10 raid the American coast. lie
wanted 20 carry the war 20 Spain and thus
keep American waters free He disagreed
with his mediate superior as well as the
president. hut he had the support or Of
ficers who refused 10 believe the Spanish
navy was better than the American