New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-22
Secretary Of War Had Asked
Wilson to Name No One
in His Absence.
WAS NOTIFIED BY WIRE
Military Head Then Replied to
President Relieving Him
of Promise-Break
Predicted.
From The Tribune Bureau. J

Washington, Aug. 20.-It was asserted
at the White House to-day that the Sec
rotary Of War had Endorsed the selection
Of Representative Francis Burton Har-
rison. VINO was confirmed by the Senate
TODAY as Governor General of the Phil
ippines. but no details Of the indorse-
ment were vouchsafed
The facts are these. however: Before
leaving Washington Secretary Garrison
had a talk with the President regarding
this position, which he regards as the
most important under his department
and left the Capital with the understand
ing that no steps looking to the appoint
ment OF a successor TO w. Cameron
Forbes would be taken in his absence
Mr.. Garrison knew that when he was
last absent from Washington. at the
time of tht Ohio floods, Secretaries
Bryan and Daniels undertook to erect
the nomination for this important post
Of a man whom Mr.. Garrison regarded
as utterly unsuited TO II, and that II
was only as result Of an emphatic
protest by the Secretary of War that
their efforts were checkmated.
II was for that reason that he TOOK
the subject up with the President. and
lust before leaving. ne declared IT to
he the purpose of the Chief Executive 10
do nothing in the matter until his (Mr
Garrison's) return. soon after his de-
parture. however. certain influential
members Of the Ways and Means Com
nnittee cordially backed by certain prob
inent members of the New York Democ-
racy. undertook a campaign TO secure the
place for Mr.. Harrison.
The President, recalling the fact that
he had promised not TO fill the place in
the absence Of the Secretary OF war
caused efforts 10 he made to find
the Secretary efforts which extended
through four days. when he was finally
found in the Yellowstone National Park
The President then sent him a telegram
asking his consent to the appointment
of Mr.. Harrison, and received reply
relieving the Executive of his promise.
Those who know the Secretary and
are familiar with his views on the sub
iect are convinced that he must have
been greatly embarrassed by the Exec
utives request, and believe he VIII he
still more so when he realizes just what
has been done. Some go as far as 10
predict that it will cause breach be
tween President Wilson and his Score
tary OF War. although so extreme view
is not generally entertained.
II is known, however. that on the pre-
vious occasion referred to Secretary Car
rison did not mince words in his express
sion Of opposition to the appointment Of
man he considered less able and well
fitted for this place than Governor Cen
pral Forbes explaining 10 the President
his view that while other high officials
Of the government performed their
duties practically under the eye Of the
Chief Executive or some member OF his
Cabinet, the Governor General OF the
Philippines must fiji the place OF chief
executive Of over 100000 people at point
so remote from Washington as 10 make
il imperative that he be a man of the
highest honor and attainments and one
who enjoyed the absolute confidence OF
both the President and the Secretary Of
War. TO all of which President Wilson at
that time agreed.
Representative Harrison called on the
President to-day 10 thank him for his
appointment as Governor General OF the
Philippine Islands. Commissioner Quezon,
who believes Mr.. Harrison stands for i'm
mediate Philippine independence and is
much pleased over his appointment, &C
companed the New York Representative
TO the White House TO express his appre-
citation OF the Presidents selection and 10
show Mr.. Wilson a cablegram from the
Speaker Of the Philippine Assembly COM
mending the appointment Representa-
tive Cline. who is a candidate for APP
pointment as a member of the Philippine
Commission. called in company with
Senators Kern and Shively.
The Senate late to-day confirmed the
nomination Of Mr. Harrison az Governor
General OF the Philippines. The Philip
pines committee reported the nomination
favorably and it was confirmed without
opposition.