New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-30
REWARD FOR GEN. WOOD.
HE MAY BE MADE SURGEON GENERAL
OF THE ARMY.

THE APPOINTMENT SAID TO BE DECIDED
UPON BY THE observation-disclosures
OF IMPENDING TROUBLE IN
CUBA DIsCREDITED.
Washington. Nov. 29-It is said on good au-
thorty that the President has decided on the
reward to be given to General Leonard Wood
when his term OF service in Cuba Is over. and
that he is slated to succeed General George NJ
Sternberg as Surgeon General of the Army when
the latter retires by operation of law in June
of next year. 1t has been reported several times
that General Wood would receive a brigadier
generaship, and he has been urged for this
place by some OF his friends in recognition of
his services in the Santiago campaign and after
ward as Governor of that province. The Presl-
dent has been inclined to bestow some substan-
tia recognition him. but 1t Is well under
stood that the gift of a generals commission In
tie line would cause a good deal OF feeling
among the officers Of the regular establishment,
many OF whom are General Woods seniors by
many years. The same objection may hold to a
smaller extent in the medical corps, but 1t Is
urged by the friends of General Wood that he
has proved himself eminently capable in admin
istratlve work 1t is said that when he was
last in Washington the matter was talked over
between him and the President and that the
place was offered to and accepted by General
Wood, although his preference was for a place
In the line. This at the time he refused a
flattering offer from the street railway syndi-
cate here-a refusal hardly likely from staff
captain unless with definite prospect of
future preferment in view.
The Surgeon Generashlp would place General
Wood at the head of the medical staff Of the
Army at little over thirty-fve years Of age,
making him the youngest officer ever holding
this responsible post 1t would leave him twen-
ty-fve years of active service If he so desired
in place carrying with 1t great prestige In
the profession both at home and abroad
General Wood has taken the house No. 1.6lS
Rhode Island-ave. in this city. where he has
moved with his family. and 1t Is thought that
this is another indication that he will make his
permanent home here at no distant date.
WOODS RECOMMENDATION APPROVED.
General Wood who arrived in Washington
last night, had long conference with the
Secretary of War to-day. Afterward Secretary
Root announced that General Woods recon-
mendations for the removal of troops from
Cuba had been approved and that orders put
ting them into effect would be issued
General Wood said that In his opinion all the
groundless, that there was no real prospect OF
a revolt. and that whatever friction and lis
content did exist among the Cubans was due
to the recent talk of appointing a civil gov
ernor for the island. When asked about the
report of his selection for this post said:
do not know a thing about 1t. have heard
nothing of the plan for civil governor except
what | have seen In the papers. II mas not
been offered to me. and have not been asked
for e=iisye St
discomfort may have arisen among tne Cupnhs
on this subject grows, l think, from their mis-
understanding of the meaning Of the term civil
governor l rather take 1t that they understand
II 10 mean permanent American government
for the island This is only speculation, now
ever. for / heard nothing of these rumors IN
/ can speak of my own Department. There is
no indication Of trouble there. on the contrary,
we have had turned in over nine thousand rifles
Adding TO these the arms that have been re-
tained for the Rural Guard and the guns that
some Of the natives have kept for the protection
| Of their own homes in the outlying districts, L
! think you will account for all the arms In the
province.
When asked II there any possibility OF an
outbreak among the Rural Guards. General
Wood said
No more than there is of an insurrection
among the police force in Washington.
ALL QUIET IN CUBA.
Concerning MS fnlSSlOH " NdoiiiS''" ~ '"'N
| that IL was merely for consultation about the
| reduction Of the American force IN the island
| 81 have recommended a reduction OF about ~ per
cent of the force in my Department" said Cen
! eral Wood that is to say. the recall OF the
! 18th Infantry and the removal OF a squadron
! from each of the cavalry regiments. | think
that this is perfectly feasible. When I say that
| Santiago is quiet 1t is a pretty fair indication
| of the condition throughout the island. Every
revolution that has started there has started
in Santiago Province and in the last war 90 per
cent Of the troops were drawn from that prov
ince."
Regarding the general conditions in his De-
nartment. General Wood said they were favor
| able that the courts were being administered
| under as mild an American supervision as was
| consistent with keeping them diligently at work
| and preventing delays in the administration OF
| Justice. The people constantly reminded
! that in case Of palpable maladministration
through reversion To the old Spanish methods
! they had always the right TO appeal and have
any matter thoroughly investigated. People
were kept employed and the detailed reforms
or the petty courts and the lower school system
,yould come eventually through patient work
! and local education.
CHESTS OF HOLLANDS QUEEN.