Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-11
Surprise to cficial Washington.

Secretary Garrisons resignation took
official Washington by complete sur
prise. Even members of the Presidents
official family were unaware OF the
Secretary's contemplated action al
though one of them said tl.it he lncw
Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Garrison differed
over the handling of the army plans
When the President went into the
middle west recently to speak OH ma
tional defense, il was understood that
he undertook the trip partially at the
suggestion of Mr.. Garrison. During
the tour the President spoke at every
meeting in favor of the Garrison army
plan. but said he was not particular
about details as long as a reserve OF
approx mately 5o00 600 trained men was
secured 1t was said today that Mr.
Wilson's failure to refuse any compro-
mise on the subject in his speeches was
the direct cause of Mr.. Garrison's
resignation.
Yesterday. Mr.. Garrison's last day as
member of the cabinet, almost passed
without any outward evidence of the
step he was contemplating. He was
throughout the morning busily occu-
pied with ordinary routine affairs
Later he dictated a speech which he
had promised to deliver yesterday aft
ernoon before the annual meeting OF
the ChaI.ber of Commerce of the
United StaR.s in defense of his con-
tinental army plan
Cancels His Engagement.
It was not until he announced sud
.;cuIy late yesterday afternoon that he
,sas leaving the city and would not
'ie.iver the address that there was the
-'ightest suspicion that anything un-
usual had happened.
The Secretary left the State. War and
:Savy building with Assistant Secre-
tary Brecknridge. Inquiry to
where he was going and how long he
would remain brought only the reply
that he would be "out of town for an
indefinite stay,
The reason for Secretary Garrisons
resignation and it's acceptance by the
PRESIDENT are disclosed in lengthy cor
respondeuce between them which
has been made public. The cor
respondence revealed that while the
secretary left the cabinet principally
because the President would not ''ir-
revoC5bly supper; tine continental army
Plan. his opposition TO the idnIin;.tration
program for setting a definite time for
Filipino Independence. outlined in Sen
afor t'arke's amendment TO the Philip
pine bill. was AN important factor The
Secretary characterized the amendment
Is aH abandonment of the duty of this
nation and a breach of trust for the Fill
pinos.
secretary harrison confended that
only federal continental arIny in
stead OF recognized Naiohal Guard
could be the main military dependence
OF the country, while the President
contended that no one plan could be
forced upon Congress. II was uDon
these two contentious that the brea K
between the President and his Secre-
fary of War came. Mr.. Garrison con-
sidered reliance upon the militia for
national defense an "unjustiffabIe i'm :
fety
IL is expected that the President will
appoint successor to Secretary Gar
Iison Immediately. 1t is understood
that he wants "A man already famiIia ,.
with the general details of the militar,.
situation OF the countrys so that plans
for national defense may be carried
forward without delay.
Breckenridge Shares Chiefs View.
Assistant Secretary Breckenridge.
who shared Secretary Garrison's views,
resigned because of loyalty to his chief.
His resignation also was accepted
Mai. Gen. Scott. chief of staff of the
army automatically became Secretary
of War ad interim
While Secretary Lane was being con-
sldered In official circles as a likely
choice IL was understood that the
President has under consideration the
Will not make appointment before
weighing their qualifications carefully.
The President has already made up
his mind to appoint a democrat to the
place. IT was said in well Informed
circles that he will not be from New
Jersey nor from the south
Names Under Discussion.
Former Gov. Walsh of Massachusetts,.
Secretary Houston, FORMER Gov. Har-
mon of Ohio and former Mayor I:aker
of Cleveland were added to the names
Icing discussed Forme" Co. Adams
Of Colorado was being talked or AS "A
possible successor TO Secretary rlane
1t was understood however. that at
least one of the men being considered
by the President has not been mem
toned publicly for the position of See
retary Of War. Others mentioned were
Henry Pindeil OF Peoria, Ill; Repre-
sentative Sherley of Kentucky. chair
man Of the. House Notifications sub
commt1&A<Tand Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt OF the Navy Department.
Vacant Chair When Cabinet Meets.
The cabinet met today. with vacant