Tuesday A.M. had long interview with Elihu Root, Sec’y of War, over Cuban situation, and plans of our government there. See my diary of trips, in files, for conversation. He said J.M. Brooke was a good General but “slow statesman;” that Gen. Wood and Ludlow were pushing ahead; that Brooke was trying to hold Wood back in his school plans, till general plan for island could be formulated; that I must write the generals in one “general” work. The Secy of War gave me Wood’s report on schools of Santiago. Sec’y Root said that promise by U.S. of freedom to Cuba would be fulfilled and I must hold to get Cubans ready to freedom. In the afternoon I had further talk with Sec’y Root, and ass’t sec’y [?], to supply me with whatever papers the war dept had, bearing on plans for schools in Cuba. – I went back to N.Y. tonight. See Oct. 11, 1899.