The sun., 1903-08-12
TAFT WILL SUCCEED ROOT.
posi- HAS BEEN OFFERED HIM
AND HE WILL ACCEPT.
President Gave Up Hope OF Keeping Root
YOsterday-Resignatlon win Bo I'm
Presidents Hands within Two Weeks,


10 Announce when lie Sees Fit.
OYSTER BAY, N. Y, Aug. 11.-President
Roosevelt has given up hope OF keeping
the Hon rlhu Root in the Cabinet, and
Mr. Root il can be said, almost without
A dou t, will be- succeeded shortly by Gov.
Taft Of the Philippines. This was learned
here tonight on The highest authority.
Judge TAFT, it was said, has already signi-
fed his Willingness to accept the place.
While Secretary Root has not formally noti-
fed ihe President OF his intention to resign
at any given date, still Mr.. Roosevelt knows
that ,Ir. Root will not serve longer than the
first Of next year, and he may even send
in his resignation within the next two
weelis.
The Pr, sident. it is said. has known for
more than eighteen months that Mr.. Root
desired earnestly to leave tho Cabinet and
relurn to his law practice in New York
and during that time kept him only through
frequent urgings.
Mr. Roosevelt gave up hope Of holding
Mr. Root longer very recently. In fact,
there is excellent reason to believe that
even so late as yesterday the President
thought that there were still chances that
Mr. Root would remain in the Cabinet
through the entire winter, II not longer.
It bs, however. denied that any authorita-
tive communication was received to-day
announcing the Secretary's intention Of
getting ort soon.
The President. since the possibility OF the
retirement OF Secretary Root was suggested. !.
has, it is said, conferred with Mr.. Root
many times about his successor, and they
are said TO be thoroughly In accord In the
selection Of Judge Taft. Gov. Taft's wide
experience in all matters connected with
the Philippines, his fine executive ability
and mis- knowledge Of the law mark him.
it is said, as without rival for the place in
the opinion OF Mr.. Roosevelt and Secre-
tary Root.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE resignation
of Elihu Root as Secretary Of War will be
sent to the President before Secretary Root
leaves for Europe on Aug. 81. At tho re-
cent conference between tho President and
the Secretary OF War, President Roose-
velt was informed OF Mr.. Roots deterrni-
nation to leave tho Cabinet as soon as
possible,
1t was then determined that as Secretary
Root might be kept In London for some
time as member OF the Alaskan Boundary
Tribunal, he should place his resignation
in the hands Of the President before his
departure, 80 that his successor could be
selected at any time and give his attention
TO the important matters In regard to the
Philippines that may require legislation
by the next Congress.
Under the circumstances no date could
: named when the resignation should
take effect, but It was explained to the
President thst In any event Secretary
Root desired to leave the Cabinet early
IN next january,
At the same time, should he be unable
10 return here before Nov. 0, when Con-
gress meets, 1t Is understood that the Presi-
dent will accept the resignation and i'm
mediately select Secretary Roots successor.
II is recognized by the President that Sec
retary Roots successor must be thoroughly
familiar with the work in the Philippines,
and IL is generally understood that Gov.
Taft has been selected TO be the next Secre-
tary OF War.
There has been some talk Of nominating
Secretary Root for Governor OF New York
This is an honor which 1t can be said with
authority he has never sought and do es
not desire II tho nomination were offered
TO him he would decline IL bec ause Of his
determination to enter again upon the prac-
tics of law